Government ministers are rejecting suggestions that the leadership of the Taoiseach is under threat.
Prominant backbenchers including Sean Power and Noel O’Flynn have criticised Brian Cowen directly and warned of electoral carnage unless the popularity of Fianna Fail improves.
But senior ministers have jumped to the defence of the Taoiseach.
The Justice minister Dermot Ahern says backbenchers must understand the that the difficult decisions made by the government do have consequences.
But he is dismissing suggestions that the leadership of the Taoiseach faces a serious threat.
“The last thing I think the country needs is…political upheaval” he said.
“We’ve seen that in the Fine Gael party in recent times; it just takes away attention from the important issues and we won’t be diverted from those”.
“In fairness to the Fianna Fail parliamentary party even though we’ve had difficult poles, I think they also appreciate that”.
“While obviously there are people who are looking to the poles in the context of any future election” he added.
