EDITORIAL

CLARE Fine Gael is divided over the leadership issue, with the majority of public representatives rowing in behind Richard Bruton.
Opinion is divided from the top down with the party’s two Clare TDs in opposite camps. Fine Gael deputy spokesperson on foreign affairs, Pat Breen has declared support for challenger, Richard Bruton, while Joe Carey is backing Enda Kenny’s bid to remain as party leader.
Of the 12 Fine Gael members of Clare County Council, just three believe that Enda Kenny is the man to lead the party into the next general election. Seven councillors are supporting Richard Bruton, one wants an alternative to both men and one was undecided.
That’s certainly a very clear message from Clare that despite all his good work in reorganising the party and winning additional seats in local, national and European elections, Mr Kenny is not perceived as somebody who can fully exploit the flaws that have been exposed in Fianna Fáil’s governance of the country during the boom years. More and more, politics is about perception and while nobody argues with the fact that the Fine Gael leader is a nice guy, far too many people, even among his own party membership, cannot imagine him as taoiseach.
Making his position clear, Deputy Breen said that, having consulted widely and listened carefully to the views of councillors, members of Clare Fine Gael and to constituents, he believed it is in the best interest of the country and of the Fine Gael Party, that Richard Bruton is given the opportunity to serve as party leader and taoiseach.
“This country needs strong leadership and a change of government is the only way of delivering real change. I believe that Richard Bruton, as leader of Fine Gael, will deliver this leadership and change,” Deputy Breen said.
Deputy Joe Carey has called on the party to focus its energies on getting Fianna Fáil out of office so that Fine Gael can implement its plans to get our country back on track.
“We have the plans and the people to get Ireland back to work and in Enda Kenny, we have a leader who has shown how with the right people, plans and hard work, he has been able to rebuild our broken party. Given the opportunity, I believe he will do the same for the country,” Carey stated.
Both sides are claiming to have majority support among the 70-strong parliamentary party ahead of the confidence vote this Thursday and, at the time of going to press, Mr Kenny was showing no signs of going quietly.
Should Mr Kenny win, he will announce a new front bench on Monday morning. To be seen as a winner, however, he will have to win comprehensively to retain authority, while, as several political commentators have observed, his opponent need only cross the line with one vote to spare to claim success.
If Richard Bruton wins the day, he will face a tough challenge in trying to draw a line under the issue and regroup to take on Fianna Fáil in the run-in to an election. However, there might just be a bit of a hiccup along the way in this scenario. Mr Bruton might not automatically assume leadership as it’s been suggested that he could face at least one challenger.
It could take several weeks to appoint a new leader under Fine Gael’s electoral system whereby 65% of the votes come from the parliamentary party of TDs, Senators and MEPs, 25% with party members and 10% with local councillors.
Clare Fine Gael councillors, who this week expressed their views as to who should lead the party, could yet be given an opportunity to vote.  On the basis of what’s emerged, so far, it’s fair to say Clare is a Bruton county.

Féile na nGael

AS some 5,000 young hurling, camogie and handball players and their entourage of mentors, parents and supporters descend on Clare this weekend for Féile na nGael 2010, we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase the county’s many attractions. 
Interest in the World Cup will play second fiddle in Clare for the duration of Féile as 128 hurling, 96 camogie and 174 handball games at under-14 level unfold. The Féile is not just a vehicle for the stars of the future from the 32 counties of Ireland to test their skills and mettle against their peers. It is certainly about that and about helping to improve the standard of Gaelic games but it is also a huge social occasion, getting to the heart and soul of the GAA.
The GAA is Ireland’s most successful amateur sporting organisation because it has successfully harnessed community spirit and loyalty and that is what’s being handed on to all the U-14 squads who, in the great tradition of Féile over the past 40 years, will undoubtedly forge lifelong friendships with members of host clubs all over Clare.
Each and every one of the host communities has its own unique history and traditions, which will be experienced by visitors who have family and friends at home waiting to hear about the weekend.  Clare clubs have put in an enormous effort to ensure that Féile 2010 is every bit as successful as the last one held in the Banner County 25 years ago.
A good experience of County Clare could reap its rewards in terms of return visits or others visiting the town of village where their fiends stayed, even if only to stop briefly and see what the place is like. Bigger towns might have expectations of visitors staying for a couple of days or more.
Business people throughout Clare can play their part too by providing a welcoming atmosphere for Féile visitors in shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. Ennis Chamber has called on all businesses to demonstrate their support for Féile by adorning their windows with a GAA theme.
The Clare hurlers of the mid-’90s, with their pride and passion, mesmerised GAA followers. Let Féile 2010 also leave people in awe of what the Banner County can do.