Taoiseach Brian Cowen looks set to lead Fianna Fáil into the forthcoming election after an overwhelming endorsement by his parliamentary party yesterday.
Mr Cowen delivered what was described by colleagues as a "robust address" to his TDs and Senators in Leinster House, spelling out his intention to lead the party into the election campaign.
Government Chief Whip John Curran said later that all of the 15 to 20 TDs who spoke at the meeting had backed Mr Cowen's plan to lead the party into the election. There had been some suggestions over the past two weeks that Mr Cowen might step down as party leader in advance of the election.
There is still no firm date for the election but it is now expected to be held in March at the earliest, despite the stated intention of the Green Party almost two weeks ago to have the contest by the end of January.
Carlow/Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward said last night he would favour the election taking place at a later date than has been suggested, adding that this would be better for Fianna Fáil. "I'd like to canvass with the sun on my back. I'd like the election postponed to May or June," he said.
The timetable for the Finance Bill and the desire of the Greens to pass legislation on climate change and corporate donations before the election has given the Taoiseach some flexibility about the timing of the election. He was encouraged yesterday by Fianna Fáil TDs to make the Greens wait if they want their legislation passed before the election.
Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan said he would like to see a new corporate donations Bill, a climate Bill and other measures being passed before the election, as well as the Finance Bill. "We will do that in co-operation with our Government colleagues and after that there should be an election. The exact date for that is a matter for the Taoiseach but we have set out our timelines and objectives." Mr Cowen signalled his intention of using the period between now and the election to exploit the differences between Fine Gael and the Labour Party on economic issues. At yesterday's parliamentary party meeting he expressed strong support for a motion from Cork South Central TD Michael McGrath and Meath East TD Thomas Byrne calling for a Dáil vote on the EU/IMF plan.
The motion read: "To add political legitimacy to the agreement and to force the opposition to take a definitive position on the matter, that the memorandum of understanding between the Irish Government and the EU/IMF be put to Dáil Éireann for approval."
Supporting the motion Mr Cowen said the memorandum had been put in place legally, legitimately and in the national interests of this country.
"However, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin continue to try to make the public believe that there is an easy way out of the country's funding crisis. Given the seriousness of the situation, I do not believe this myth can be allowed to continue unchallenged."
Mr Cowen said he was delighted to support this motion and looked forward to the debate in the Dáil next Wednesday, "when we will once again give the Opposition the opportunity to either come clean, recognise that this deal is essential and in the best interests of the country, or spell out their alternative".
Debating and supporting a motion in the Dáil would give certainty to the international community that the deal has been confirmed by the parliament and that the country was repairing its public finances.
Sinn Féin claimed last night that the Government's decision to have a Dáil vote on the EU/IMF deal was the result of a legal action threatened by the party. The party's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has published a solicitor's letter sent to the Government on his behalf. The letter demanded the Dáil vote on the measure or, if not, the legal action would be pursued.
The Dáil yesterday passed the final stage of the Social Welfare Bill, giving effect to the Budget cuts in welfare payments by 80 votes to 76.
