Cowen defends McDowell as resignation demands mount
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen today insisted Cabinet colleague Michael McDowell had the Government’s full backing as the clamour for his resignation grew.
The Fianna Fáil deputy leader expressed his support for the embattled Minister for Justice as more men convicted of sexual offences against children sought freedom at the High Court and parents prepared for a protest outside the Dáil tomorrow.
Seven independent TDs added their calls for Mr McDowell to resign to those from parents of victims incensed after a 41-year-old man, known as Mr A, who had sex with a 12-year-old girl after plying her with drink, was freed from jail.
The High Court’s decision on Tuesday followed a Supreme Court declaration last week to strike out the law he was convicted under: that men who have sex with underage girls should automatically be deemed guilty of rape.
Mr Cowen said the state would use all its resources to fight the High Court’s ruling in the Mr A case, which is to be appealed in the Supreme Court tomorrow, and insisted Mr McDowell had his full backing.
“Michael McDowell is doing everything he can on the basis of the Supreme Court decision that’s only come last week to try and make sure we get the best possible situation out of this that we can,” he said.
“He has my support and he has the Government’s support.
“In fairness he will go into the House as he went into Senate last night and put forward all of the position, all of the case that the State wanted to make in relation to this matter.
“I think he has done that in full knowledge of his responsibilities and he’s seeking to discharge them in the circumstances of this being a situation that has been brought about through the Supreme Court decision, not by the actions or inactions of Government.”
Mr McDowell also insisted he had no intention of standing down.
“When the dust settles I will be seen to have acted honestly, decisively and competently to deal with a very serious issue not of my making,” he said.
Seven Independent TDs, led by Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath, called on Mr McDowell to resign.
Dublin North Central TD Mr McGrath said Mr McDowell had handled the entire situation badly and should step down.
Independent Clare TD James Breen said the minister should be sacked if he does not leave office voluntarily.
“It’s entirely incompetent the way he has handled this affair,” he said.
“16 years ago the Law Reform Commission recommended changes in the legislation, the minister did not act.
“Now he says he did not know about this case, himself or the Attorney General, coming up in the Supreme Court.
“What were his advisers doing? Why didn’t they advise him of it? This was a very serious matter.”
