Kenny fires warning to rebel Deasy
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has fired off a curt letter to rebel TD John Deasy warning him not to mention the leadership issue again before the General Election.
Mr Deasy, who was sacked as Opposition justice spokesman in 2004 after breaching the smoking ban in the Dáil Bar, said this week that it would be a "failure" if Mr Kenny did not become Taoiseach.
The Waterford TD also said his leader should step down if Fine Gael didn’t get into government and he went on to express a personal interest in the top job.
However Mr Kenny today sent a strongly-worded letter to Mr Deasy on his controversial public comments.
Speaking on his return from overseas holidays, he said: “My intention is to be Taoiseach after the next General Election and to replace Fianna Fáil in government.
“I regard the statements made as an unnecessary distraction and I have written to Deputy Deasy today in clear and very unambiguous terms telling him what I expect from every Fine Gael member and that I expect no further comment on this matter.”
Earlier deputy leader Richard Bruton said the remarks by Mr Deasy were depressing.
“People who are interested in the country having a proper election with alternative strategies coherently set out are quite sickened by this.
“One of the great successes of Enda Kenny is that he rooted out the atmosphere of backbiting that was once in the party and that is what makes it so depressing for people like myself who are involved in trying to articulate an alternative, to see John Deasy deliberately doing this,” he added.
The Opposition party’s director of organisation today insisted that TDs, Senators and councillors were fully behind Mr Kenny.
Phil Hogan said that the party’s constitution stipulates that each leader must face a vote of confidence from the parliamentary party after General Elections.
He said that it was time for all Fine Gael people to focus their energies on winning the extra votes and extra seats necessary to win the election and secure a change of government.
He said Mr Kenny had transformed the party since becoming leader in 2002 and had inspired success in European, local and by-elections.
A 27% rating in the last national opinion poll could mean the party may secure 50 Dáil seats, Mr Hogan added.
“With party membership, organisation and finance in their healthiest state for many years we are fully prepared for a successful election in the summer and ready to form a new government with the Labour Party.
“Speculation on what may occur after that polling day is irrelevant and an unnecessary distraction from the immediate task of work at hand. All Fine Gael members, supporters and elected representatives recognise that fact and will no doubt drive the party on to success this summer.”
