Martin confident he will lead FF into next election

Taoiseach says he will take up role of Tánaiste in two years’ time

Barry Cowen interview: ‘I was shattered, disappointed and angry – but he wields the power’

Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen tells Hugh O’Connell why Micheál Martin should not lead the party into the next general election

ANNUS HORRIBILIS: Barry Cowen at home in Clara, Co Offaly. His mother Mary died a month after he was sacked earlier this year. Photo: Tony Gavin  

January 03 2021 02:30 AM

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On December 17 Micheál Martin rang Barry Cowen to offer him a role as Fianna Fáil’s climate action spokesperson. “From my perspective it didn’t rest well with me,” the Offaly TD recalls.

Cowen wondered at the time how it was that the Taoiseach had decided in July that he wasn’t fit to be in Cabinet, but was now offering him a role as a party spokesperson. Even creating those positions – when Fianna Fáil has senior or junior ministers in most Government departments – was odd, Cowen thought.

“Where is the hierarchy of authority? It’s just a bit confusing.” So, he told Martin “thanks, but no thanks”.