Enda Kenny is preparing for a difficult morning with his Fine Gael frontbench today with a majority of members expected to tell him they have lost confidence in his leadership.
At least 9 Richard Bruton supporters are expected to speak out today.
Enda Kenny will then have to decide whether to sack them like Richard Bruton or accept their resignations and go ahead with Dail business and a vote of no confidence in the Taoiseach.
It will set the scene for a crucial parliamentary party meeting on Thursday when both men will be looking for further support.
Fine Gael Senator John Paul Phelan is convinced the time has come for a change of leadership.
“I’m disheartened at I suppose the manner in which it’s come to this” he said.
“But I’m not disheartened in the sense that I believe in my heart and soul that RIchard Bruton is the man to lead Ireland out of (the) difficulties where we are now”
“The outstanding politician in the country – and I think he will get his opportunity sooner rather than later to lead Fine Gael first, and then to lead the country” he added.
However Fine Gael Chief Whip Paul Kehoe has reasserted his belief that Enda Kenny can overcome this.
“He will be the Taoiseach after the next general election and he will lead the Fine Gael party into the next general election also” he said.
“People see the hard work and dedication that Enda Kenny and the re-building of the Fine Gael party and the professional party that we have today – and backbenchers and frontbenchers have seen that and appreciate that”.
“They know we have to improve our performances; but I have no doubt that people will see the bigger picture here and vote for Enda Kenny on Thursday” he added.
And despite the current scrutiny of the Fine Gael party Political Editor of the Sunday Business Post Pat Leahy says Fianna Fail should not be complacent.
“Let’s not forget that Fianna Fail was at 17 percent in that poll the last time” he said.
“It is trending at historic lows; there appears to be no prospect of a significant Fianna Fail recovery”.
“And if Fianna Failers are laughing today, well I guess there’s a general election in the not too distant future and it seems likely there’ll be little to smile about for Fianna Fail when that comes” he added.
