John Bruton controlled Fine Gael centrally and did not encourage independent thinking, according to Mr Jim Mitchell, who is challenging his leadership.
Mr Mitchell said Fine Gael's "Celtic Snail" campaign was a classic case of Mr Bruton's style of leadership. "The front bench never discussed the Celtic Snail. We were told about it on the day it was being launched . . . and that's a classic case of what happens frequently.
"And of course the consequence of that sort of style of leadership is that everybody feels somebody else was consulted, that they weren't, that they're out of the loop and they are demoralised and demotivated. The entire front bench is demoralised and demotivated."
Mr Mitchell was speaking on The Pat Kenny Show on RTE Radio One yesterday.
"What we are doing is very painful for us. It's taking a lot of guts and courage to do it. The consequences for us if we fail, personally, are very major but we've had to take that risk in the interests both of the country and the party," he said.
Mr Mitchell said a key part of Fine Gael's problem was Mr Bruton, "despite his good qualities".
"In the end of the day, if you are the head of some organisation, if you are head of a company that's doing badly over a long period or head of the football team or head of a political party, you have to accept responsibility and this is what John is not doing. He's not facing up to his responsibilities," Mr Mitchell said.
Asked about the difference between his and Mr Bruton's policies, Mr Mitchell said: "I would say where John makes a mistake is having too many detailed policies which nobody reads."
He also said the party made a "major, fundamental mistake" in not choosing Mr Peter Barry over Mr Bruton as Fine Gael leader 10 years ago.
