TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen conceded the Fianna Fáil organisation needed to be reformed during a passionate speech calling for “unity of purpose” in the party at a meeting of its national executive last night.
“There was recognition that the organisation badly needs to be reformed,” a party source said. “The Taoiseach said: ‘Nobody’s happy with the way things are in Fianna Fáil and I’m the most unhappy of all’.” Mr Cowen “spoke with passion”, according to those who attended the meeting.
While Mr Cowen confirmed in Tullamore yesterday he intended to undertake a Cabinet reshuffle, he did not refer to this at the three-hour meeting in Dublin which he chaired.
About 90 national executive members, representing every constituency in the State, attended the meeting in Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party rooms in Leinster House.
Jerry Beades faced criticism from some of those present for going public recently with his comments disparaging the performance of some Cabinet Ministers.
He reiterated his criticism last night, however.
A senior party figure said Mr Cowen delivered a “very strong speech”, during which he stressed the necessity for the party to reorganise “on the ground”.
“He called for unity of purpose in the organisation, saying now we’ve put policies in place, get out and sell them.”
Former minister Gerry Collins, part of a committee charged with reorganising the party across the State, is understood to have set out the extent of the challenge facing the party in a presentation.
The party’s finances was also touched on, with members urged to redouble their efforts to sell draw tickets as part of a fundraising drive.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Cowen confirmed he intended to undertake a Cabinet reshuffle involving the reorganisation of government departments. The reshuffle is expected in the next few weeks and many Fianna Fáil TDs now believe it will happen before the St Patrick’s Day break.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan declined to be drawn on the pending reshuffle but indicated that he was willing to remain in office despite his continuing cancer treatment. “I made it very clear last January what my position was. I made a full public disclosure of my position and the position has not changed since then,” he said.
Meanwhile, the former minister of state for food and agriculture, Trevor Sargent, has said he was “very hopeful” the vacancy arising as a result of his resignation would be filled by another Green.