Byrne to second Lenihan’s FF leadership bid

Fianna Fail TD in Meath East, Thomas Byrne, is seconding Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan's bid to become leader of Fianna Fail. Mr Lenihan has been nominated by the Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Sean Connick, TD, from Wexford. At close of nominations on Monday, four candidates were proposed to succeed Brian Cowen as leader of Fianna Fail - Mary Hanafin, Brian Lenihan, Michael Martin and Eamon †Cuiv. Deputy Noel Dempsey, who stepped down as Minister for Transport last week, said he would listen to what all four candidates had to say before deciding on the leadership issue. Last week, Mr Dempsey said that when he informed the Taoiseach in December that he would not be seeking re-election to Dail Eireann, he told him he would stay on as long as Mr Cowen wished him to remain as minister, or give his resignation. Mr Cowen had indicated at the time that he would be reshuffling his cabinet in a few weeks' time, and Mr Dempsey said that when he wanted the letter of resignation, he would give it to him. The letter was requested on Wednesday night, when the resignations of Mary Harney, Dermot Ahern and Tony Killeen were also accepted. With the resignation of leadership challenger Michael Martin the day previous, and that of Batt O'Keeffe on Thursday morning, there were six ministerial vacancies, and the Taoiseach's efforts to fill them led to his downfall at the weekend. Mr Dempsey said he was disappointed at the events of the week which led to Mr Cowen's resignation. Deputy Johnny Brady said he is consulting with the grassroots organisation in his constituency and will make his decision today (Wednesday) based on those consultations. “All the candidates are good friends and have been good to me in the constituency when looking for things for Meath, so I will listen to the organisation,†he said. Deputy Mary Wallace was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press yesterday (Tuesday). Fianna Fail candidate for Meath West, Cllr Shane Cassells, said the election of a new leader this week will definitely bring a sense of renewal to Fianna Fail and its membership. “We are now into the cut and thrust of an election campaign and members are energised by the fact that there will be a fresh face at the helm,†he said. “There are great challenges facing our country and our party but the groundwork has been laid for recovery. I hope to be part of that renewal of our party as a member of the Dail team for Meath West,†said Cllr Cassells.