CLARE’S Fine Gael TDs are split over who to support in the Fine Gael leadership race. Deputy Pat Breen will be backing Richard Bruton in his efforts to replace Enda Kenny as Fine Gael party leader, while Deputy Joe Carey has signalled his support for Deputy Kenny.
The majority of Clare Fine Gael county councillors told The Clare Champion this week that they support a change in party leadership. Only three of the county’s 12 councillors contacted expressed support for Deputy Kenny.
Deputy Breen said that he had consulted with county councillors and constituents in Clare before making his decision.
“Having consulted widely and listened carefully to the views of Clare’s Fine Gael county councillors, to members of the Fine Gael organisation in Clare and to my constituents, I believe that it is in the best interest of this country and of the Fine Gael party, that Richard Bruton is given the opportunity to serve as leader of Fine Gael and taoiseach,” Deputy Breen stated.
However, Deputy Joe Carey suggests the party, which has been divided down the middle this week, has lost its nerve as they attempt to overthrow Deputy Kenny.
“Fine Gael should be focusing all its energies on getting Fianna Fáil out of office rather than losing our nerve over one opinion poll,” he said, noting that the party had been broken prior to Enda Kenny replacing Michael Noonan as party leader.
“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,” he added.
However, his fellow Clare TD suggests Deputy Bruton would be capable of providing stronger leadership than Deputy Kenny.
“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 and that his experience both politically as a former Minister for Enterprise and Employment and economically as a graduate with an MA in economics and as a research economist by profession, will provide the voters with an opportunity, if elected as Taoiseach, to lead us out of this recession,” Deputy Breen predicted.
While acknowledging Deputy Kenny’s organisational ability, he maintains the Mayo TD has not clicked with the electorate.
“Enda Kenny has made an enormous contribution to Fine Gael, having built up the party organisation after our disastrous showing in the 2002 general election. Unfortunately, however, Enda has not succeeded in convincing the general public of his attributes,” he said.
Deputy Breen said that his decision to seek the overthrow of Deputy Kenny was difficult.
“This has been a very painful decision for me to make, as I have worked very closely with Enda over the past number of years. Nevertheless, I believe that it is time for a new approach and for a new leader to lead Fine Gael and for me to put the interests of the country and the party first.
“I believe that Richard Bruton is best man for the job and I will be supporting him,” he stated.
The 70-strong Fine Gael parliamentary party is due to meet this Thursday morning, when the leadership battle will come to a head.

Little support for Kenny among councillors

BATTLING to remain at the helm of Fine Gael, Deputy Enda Kenny has lost the confidence of the majority of the party’s grassroots in Clare.
A straw poll conducted by The Clare Champion reveals that Deputy Kenny has only the support of three out of the 12 Fine Gael county councillors.
The poll was held as Deputy Kenny faces into a leadership challenge from Richard Bruton in a crucial vote of confidence at a meeting of the parliamentary party in Dublin this Thursday.
The remarkable collapse in support for the Mayo deputy, who rebuilt the party after meltdown in the 2002 General Election, is illustrated in the fact that only councillors John Crowe, Paul Murphy and Sonny Scanlan said he should lead them into the next general election.
Significantly, the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy is backing Deputy Bruton’s bid to oust Deputy Kenny, supported by councillors Joe Cooney, Paul Burke, Oliver Garry, Tony Mulqueen, Joe Arkins and Martin Conway.
Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn declined to back either deputy in the race for the leadership, while Councillor Gabriel Keating felt neither of the candidates should be considered.
Most of the councillors felt the timing of the challenge is bad for the party, just days before Deputy Kenny tabled a unsuccessful motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the Dáil on Tuesday.
There is also a general consensus that the current debacle will not adversely affect Fine Gael’s long-term prospects of forming a government following the next general election.