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THE RUMOUR MILL is well and truly in overdrive as to who will be the next Fine Gael leader.
Since last week (which has been dubbed one of the worst the government has faced since taking office) pressure has been mounting on Enda Kenny to outline a timeline for his departure as party leader.
A handful of backbench TDs have called for Kenny to stand aside in recent days – or at least to inform the party of his plans. He is expected to give some further detail later this evening at the party’s parliamentary party meeting.
The Taoiseach himself has previously said he will not lead the party into another general election.
Sources within the party said there was panic last week over the Maurice McCabe and Tusla scandal. There was a genuine fear a snap election could be around the corner, one TD said.
Some Fine Gael TDs are anxious to see a change in leadership sooner rather than later – particularly in light of Fianna Fáil’s recent opinion poll success.
So far, a number of ministers have ruled themselves in and out of the race.
Here, we give you the six most likely successors to Enda Kenny…
He’s the minister responsible for dealing with the homelessness crisis, the Irish Water debacle, and housing. Not exactly the easiest of portfolios.
Since Enda Kenny’s leadership became an issue, his name has always been on the short list.
Until recently, he has featured as the second favourite to Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar, who topped a Sunday Independent opinion poll on the likely next leader of Fine Gael last weekend with 27% support among the general public, compared to Coveney’s 23%.
Varadkar also came out tops in a Claire Byrne Live poll this week. However, a poll of Irish Independent readers on Monday showed a distinctly different result – with 40% stating they thought Simon Coveney should be the next Taoiseach.
Figures within his own party and, interestingly, many on the opposition benches, are quick to say they don’t doubt Coveney’s work ethic and dedication to the job – and while he’s often described as a “workhorse”, his critics say he might lack the charisma to be the next leader.
His supporters contend that the Cork TD’s management of his brief compensates for any perceived lack of star power. Notably, Coveney was commended on how he dealt with pushback from Fianna Fáil on his rental strategy in December.
Analysing more recent events, his stance during RTÉ’s Week in Politics that he would not push the Taoiseach out of office was seen by the more traditional, grass-roots members of the party as being the “respectful” way to deal with Enda Kenny.
While Varadkar and his supporters have denied orchestrating any sort of strategy, Coveney said his fellow minister wanted to “push things” in relation to the departure of the Taoiseach.
Let’s not forget, Kenny holds the record as the longest-serving member of Dáil Eireann and is still hugely respected in the party. His backing will be invaluable to whichever candidate he supports in the race. The two men have been working closely on the homelessness issue recently, and it’s understood they’ve struck up a good working relationship.
Coveney’s time as Agriculture minister can’t be discounted either – it will have done him no harm with older voters and farmers, a traditional Fine Gael support base.
Chances: Substantial. Following events of the last week, he could yet win Kenny’s backing as an alternative to Varadkar.
If money talks, then the Dublin West TD has a serious chance to be the next leader of Fine Gael.
Bets on Leo Varadkar becoming the next Fine Gael leader were suspended by Paddy Power on Sunday after a rush from punters to place money on the Minister for Social Protection.
Varadkar has long been regarded to be Enda’s successor, and he’s been on the campaign trail for some time now: the Dublin TD has travelled the length and breadth of the country opening up social welfare offices (even in Coveney’s own back yard of Carrigaline).
However, whisperings that he may have been behind moves to force the Taoiseach into setting out a timeline to step aside may have put his ascension to the top job in jeopardy. He also disregarded party chairman Martin Heydon’s plea to TDs to stop commenting on the leadership issue last weekend – putting out a statement on Saturday night urging the Taoiseach to address the leadership situation.
Varadkar’s plain-speaking style means he is well liked by the public. However some backbenchers think his off-message remarks have no place in the office of An Taoiseach, and could prove damaging.
One TD pointed to Varadkar’s less-than-helpful remarks about Fianna Fáil and water charges during the government formation talks, which, it was feared, could have brought the whole process toppling down after over 60-odd days of negotiations.
He’s held three ministries – Transport, Health and now Social Protection. Decent experience, sure – but the health portfolio, as it has for so many, proved difficult. Hospital waiting lists and trolley numbers were just as much an issue for Varadkar as they are now for Simon Harris.
According to last weekend’s Sunday Independent poll on the issue of the Fine Gael leadership, Varadkar came out on top with 27%. Perhaps significantly, his lead is wider among Fine Gael supporters, who back him over Coveney by 37% to 28%.
Chances: His popularity among the wider public could swing the party behind him. We predict Leo could have a fight on his hands.
The Dublin TD has ruled himself out, but there’s talk that big government players like Finance Minister Michael Noonan are trying to convince him to throw his hat in the ring.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is rated highly within the party and is liked by many.
The Minister’s been in the firing line when it comes to public pay in recent months. He had to concede the Garda pay deal after the pre-Christmas Labour Court decision, and he faces quite a few challenges ahead with the bus drivers, teachers and nurses.
Donohoe is a capable media performer and senior members in the party see him as safe pair of hands.
Chances: Slim, although, you never know, he could come up on the outside.
He’s no stranger to leadership heaves, having organised one already against Kenny in 2010 when the party was in opposition.
That attempt collapsed, dismally. But has his desire for leadership been bubbling under the surface for the past seven years?
The Education Minister has plenty of experience, having held numerous roles – most recently the high profile Jobs portfolio.
His profile on the Fine Gael website says he is happiest when he is in the kitchen cooking chicken balti and listening to Leonard Cohen. Whether he would be willing to sacrifice this for a Taoiseach’s busy schedule remains to be seen.
Chances: Slim again, but he has a thirst for the leadership that has not yet been quenched.
The Health Minister has been in the spotlight recently in the wake of the broadcast of an RTÉ documentary depicting the daily lives of those living on hospital waiting lists.
Harris, who represents Wicklow, said he would hold hospital managers to account over waiting list times and told his party colleagues at a meeting earlier this month that the party could not stand over what was happening in the health system.
His leadership ambitions may not have been taken seriously until recently – but he’s very much in the mix after messages from a Fine Gael Whatsapp group were leaked at the weekend.
It was claimed in the Whatsapp group that Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is backing him for a tilt at the leadership. That’s not surprising. In a former life, before he was a politician, Harris worked in Fitzgerald’s office. So, it is safe to say they are close.
There is no doubt he is ambitious. At the age of 30, he has already managed to get a seat at the Cabinet table. He may well put his name forward for the leadership, but it might not be his time, just yet.
Chances: Maybe next time.
Fitzgerald has refused to rule out becoming Fine Gael’s first female leader.
Appointed Tánaiste by Enda Kenny following the last general election, the Justice Minister has moved down the ranks in the leadership contest in recent weeks.
While she may have featured higher in the past, she’s one of the line ministers responsible for dealing with the fallout from the latest Garda whistleblower controversy – as a result, some potential backers may be reluctant to throw their support her way this time around.
Chances: Not great, considering recent events in government.
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Either way after he is out of office it is likely more such personal benefits from his actions will come out. The fact he stays in his own hotels has to be on that list. Along with the use of his hotel in DC
@Craic_a_tower: get a life. It bothers you where he sleeps?
@Rocky Loveridge: Get a life – it bothers you that it might bother @Craic_a_tower where he sleeps?
@Gavin Conran: I shouldn’t have said get a life, that was wrong and insulting of me
Still though, an Irish fella annoyed at the president of America for staying in one of his own hotels is outright bizarre
@Rocky Loveridge: It doesn’t particularly bother me what he does. If it indicates corruption and profiteering from his position I will point it out. He is making a profit out of this. It isn’t they rent one room but entire floors for all the staff. Pence staying in Dunbeg is very suspect. If you don’t understand the concept that is your problem. Only meeting people who book enough rooms in his hotel in DC is a long running allegation. Simply put it is kickbacks
@Rocky Loveridge: trump staying in his own hotels isnt the issue. Trump charging his Secret Service protection detail to stay in his hotels is the issue.
Every time he stays at one of his hotels he profits from it.
@Rocky Loveridge: If Michael D owned a chain of hotels globally, and when travelling only ever stayed in his own properties, sometimes going hours out of the way to enrich himself at the cost of millions to the taxpayer – would you find that an acceptable thing?
I wouldn’t – so I can, therefore, relate to this story.
There was a report recently enough that showed that Trump has spent nearly a third of his presidency visiting his own properties at the taxpayer’s expense.
@Gavin Conran: That’s 362 different trips to his own properties at the tax layers expense since he took office.
Then of course when his officials travel they too have to all stay at Trump properties, again further enriching himself.
Personally, i am not outraged by any of this – bit i do think it is taking the piss and so can understand why anyone would be.
@Kendra Jackson:
How do you know he charges for his security? I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, after all he doesn’t take a salary, he donates it to various charities, I’m sure his security detail stays for free, at the cost to his hotels, unless you have different information or proof otherwise?
@➕The Gray➕: You would be wrong they pay that is why it is an issue. Why would you think his hotel would put anyone up for free? There are numerous reports on the costs. He charged his own election campaign for using his hotels.
@➕The Gray➕: here’s something to indicate how much he profits from the US military using his resort near Prestwick airport in Scotland https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/trump-turnberry-resort-singled-out-in-airport-s-pitch-to-us-military-1-5011598
@Craic_a_tower: And its the taxpayer who foots the bill
@Rocky Loveridge: you’re clearly missing the bigger picture. Do we really have to point out the bleedin obvious
@➕The Gray➕: Yes the Secret Service are charged when they have to use Trump properties
https://money.cnn.com/2017/10/12/news/secret-service-mar-a-lago/index.html
@Rocky Loveridge: Time to switch on the brain Rocky
@Craic_a_tower: He won’t be out of office for quite a long time Mr hide your name.
This crusade against Trump by the mainstream media is really exhausting.
@Mike Conway: they are reporting facts. Just because it makes him look bad doesn’t make it a crusade. If you are exhausted by it just ignore it like you ignore reality
@Mike Conway: Says deleted account Mike Conway.
Trump could order a Burger and chips and the Dems would say it’s an impeachable offence, it’s not gonna happen.
@➕The Gray➕: Trump is now in bigly trouble.You will have to now pray, Gray
@Tom Doyle:
The last administration destroyed Libya, killed it’s leader and in doing so facilitated a 21st century slave trade resulting in Obama receiving a Nobel peace prize.
Yet all the liberal and leftist melts lose their minds over a phone call, sorry, but there’s a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump.
@➕The Gray➕: Obama derangement syndrome
@➕The Gray➕: “there is a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump” – you do know that the Democrats control the House of Representatives :-) try to keep up,Gray
@➕The Gray➕: “destroyed Libya…resulting in Obama receiving a Nobel prize”. IN fact Obama intervened in Libya in 2011. He got the 2009 Nobel prize.
@Tom Doyle: But the Republicans control the Senate.
@➕The Gray➕: killed Gaddafi? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Muammar_Gaddafi really?
@Shane Russell: in his twitter he says “soy boys beware” and here he has a japanese kamakazi pilot as his avatar, even though the japanese diet is rich in soy. Hahaha rofl.
Typical idiocity of the far right.
@Darren Byrne:
Yeah, really…
https://youtu.be/6DXDU48RHLU
@Shane Russell:
Yeah I get that a lot, one day I’m accused of being a Zionist bot, Russian bot, now a Ukrainian, just waiting for the Leprechaun bot tag. I see there’s lots of Jussie Smollett fans on here too. This story is right up there with that, mind you.
@Tom Doyle:
And the one that matters, the Senate???
Anyways, have a think about this, maybe even look it up…like I said previously, Pelosi and the Dems are being played…do keep up.
https://twitter.com/TheGray1776/status/1177318522977947649?s=09
@Lionheart1: Was Clinton impeached >yes ,he was.Who impeached him > the House of Representatives
@➕The Gray➕: you said “but there’s a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump.” < it is the House Of Representatives that impeach the president ;-) Do try to keep up,pet
Trump derangement syndrome is in overdrive. The dims will do anything to deflect from Biden’s (and Obama’s by association) corruption.
@Jack Simpson: Says the people who removed Bill Clinton for have a one off office fling, Trump has broken the law and if you think he is above the law it speaks volumes about you lets face it.
@Peter Hughes:
Clinton lied on TV to the American people, that’s why he was removed. Not for the fling. Get your fake facts right.
@Peter Hughes: Sorry? Broken the law? Pray tell how? How Peter?
@➕The Gray➕: Clinton was not “removed”. He served out his entire term. How do you like that fact?
what a nonsense!, not even one word in transcript about:
Initiate or continue an investigation into the activities of Joe Biden’s son;
Assist in purportedly uncovering that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections originiated in Ukraine; and
Meet or speak with Giuliani and Barr on these issues.
@Born to be wild!: What a very odd way to be blind
@Born to be wild!: It wasnt a transcript that was released. It was a summary. How about you read the fekin article before jumping the gun?
@Craic_a_tower: Having read a lot of your comments Mr Tower I believe your Trump syndrome has reached a dangerous level.
“ I was not a witness to most of the events described… However, I found my colleagues’ accounts of these events to be credible”
Perhaps the most telling in whistleblower report…
Teflon Trump
@➕The Gray➕: How is Tulsi not already a legend in the Democrat Party? She should walk right into that nomination. A lot of Trump supporters would vote for her. But the DNC would rather destroy her. America’s loss. She could unite the country again.
@➕The Gray➕: so what a Republican tries to say it is no big deal and people agree with her.
@Burn_the_Witch:
Exactly. She made a show of Harris last time round, Gabbard doesn’t tow the corrupt Democrat line by the looks of things.
Say what you like, there’s political genius at work in asking Ukraine to take the hit for hacking the DNC. If he could have “demonstrated” that absolutely everybody else was wrong to blame Russia – and the base might’ve believed it, coming from both POTUS & Zelenskyy – the door to the Dictatorship’ll open. Sanctions lifted on Russia & preferred trading partner status as an apology. Get rid of the IC. Open embassy in Pyongyang. Claim back the 2 years lost thru Mueller: Election 2022. Ban all media except Fox & OAN from Federal events. ICE reinforced by the Army. Build the wall and imprison any who mention Mexico paying. Feel free to add to the list.
@Brendan Moriarty: Ehhh what?
have your say