THE LEADERSHIP of Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to be directly challenged by backbench TD John McGuinness at the weekly meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party tomorrow night.
However, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD and former junior minister said he had not approached any of his colleagues to back him at the meeting: "I have no idea of [ potential] support except that there is a big number of people on the back benches that share my view."
He said a new style of politics was needed. "We need an energetic, dynamic party leader who will communicate effectively with the public and restore their confidence in the whole process of politics and the policies we are pursuing," he told The Irish Times yesterday.
Repeating his call for Mr Cowen to "consider his position", Mr McGuinness said: "Hopefully those that are interested in the leadership might step into the space that I have created and indicate their interest in the leadership at that stage, put their case, and let's see who's interested?"
The party meeting is scheduled for 5.30pm but this is likely to clash with the major announcement on a rescue-plan for the banks from Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan at 6pm.
However, Mr McGuinness said time should be found for the leadership issue to be discussed.
Meanwhile, Independent TD Finian McGrath confirmed there had been increased contact between himself and the Government and that under certain conditions and on a case-by-case basis he would consider voting with Fianna Fáil and the Greens.
"I'm not doing any agreement but if they deliver things in my constituency I will use my vote in a positive manner," the Dublin North-Central TD said.
He added that he had "deliberately abstained" in the Dáil vote to approve the Cabinet reshuffle because a total of "at least €2 million, maybe €3 million" had been approved in grants to schools in his constituency.
He said he would be "very impressed" if the Government delivered funding for a €34 million project to set up a special dedicated 30-bed unit for cystic fibrosis patients in an extension currently being built at St Vincent's hospital, Elm Park, Dublin.
"I would be fairly confident that it's going to happen. If that is delivered, I will use my vote again in future in the Dáil in a positive and constructive manner," Mr McGrath said.
However, Dublin Central Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan said that no attempt had been made to secure her vote in the Dáil: "No approaches were made to me to vote for the Government."
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South-West Charlie O'Connor said that he would not be supporting any opposition to the Taoiseach's leadership at tomorrow's meeting: "I see no point in such a challenge."
