Fine Gael backbencher John Deasy has claimed at least “10 to 15” Government TDs privately want Taoiseach Enda Kenny step down immediately, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.
Mr Deasy has also warned the issue will “come to a head before the end of the year”.
The outspoken TD made his first public comments on Mr Kenny’s potential departure after months of increasing speculation on the situation, pointedly saying he cannot seek a motion of no confidence “on my own”.
Speaking on RTE Radio’s Today With Sean O’Rourke programme as he described the imminent budget as a pre-election “carve up” to benefit Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, Mr Deasy said he believes Mr Kenny should either leave now or be removed by next summer.
Mr Deasy said at least “10 to 15” other TDs share the view in order to prevent an imminent challenge from Fianna Fáil.
However, he added the likelihood is Mr Kenny will have to be “dragged out of the place kicking and screaming” because he has “bought off” other members of the party with committee, minister of state, senator and ministerial roles.
“There are probably 10 to 15 people in the party I know who share my view strongly. The funny thing is, for the first time it’s actually being vocalised properly, and it’s being done so on a regular basis.
“After the budget my guess is people will focus their attention on that issue in Fine Gael, and it could come to a head before the end of the year. Yeah, it could.
“No one is under any illusion Fianna Fáil are going to try and take us out while Kenny is in position, it is obvious what they are doing.
“When you hear Fianna Fáil talking about water charges, pensions, first time buyers, you know an election cycle has started. They’re not going to pass up the opportunity,” he said.
Asked if he will put down a motion of no confidence in Mr Kenny at an upcoming parliamentary party meeting, Mr Deasy added: “I can’t do it on my own”.
The comments from the outspoken backbencher – who notably said Mr Kenny’s replacement will either be Simon Coveney or Leo Varadkar, dismissing any possibility of Frances Fitzgerald taking over, and hinting he may like to be a future minister – come after months of increasing unrest among Fine Gael TDs.
At the start of summer, Kerry TD Brendan Griffin publicly called for Mr Kenny to step down, a situation that was believed to be backed by at least six others and was seen by some as an attempt to test the waters before a formal removal push later this year.
While it had been expected Mr Kenny would step down early next year, Brexit and his recent “mojo” comments have led to speculation he is intending to stay for a longer period.
Mr Deasy, who has stressed he was not involved in the summer resignation call, also used the RTE Radio interview to heavily criticise Fianna Fáil in its attempts to “throw money” at key voter categories in the upcoming budget.
Hitting out at widespread suggestions a €5 pension increase will be included in next Tuesday’s plan, he said the move and similar measures for first time buyers are a “carve up” between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and “a complete collapse of decision making in the national interest” which ignores families who have been hurt most.
“People call them the squeezed middle. I think they should be called the people who pay for everything,” he said.
