Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted he had no regrets after dramatically resigning today as leader of Fianna Fáil.After an epic week of political chaos sparked by a failed leadership heave, six ministerial resignations and a botched Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Cowen bowed to an onslaught of pressure and criticism from former allies.
The Taoiseach plans to stay on as head of the coalition Government until the March 11 general election.
His resignation now clears the the way for senior party figures to fight it out for the leadership.
Deputy Micheál Martin and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan have confirmed their intention to put their names before their party colleagues, while other possible contenders include Mary Hanafin and Eamon O Cuiv, the latter expected to make an announcement later this evening.
The Taoiseach plans to consult with his family before deciding whether to stand in the election.
Mr Cowen told a hastily called press conference in Dublin that renewed internal criticism of Fianna Fáil was deflecting attention from important debate on the future of the country.
“Therefore, taking everything into account, and having discussed the matter with my family, I have decided on my own counsel to step down as leader of Fianna Fáil,” he said.
Mr Cowen dismissed criticism of a botched Cabinet reshuffle which threatened to bring down the Government.
He had accepted Mr Martin’s resignation as Foreign Affairs Minister after a failed leadership challenge on Tuesday night and announced the resignations for four ministers late on Wednesday night. The next morning Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe, “best friend” of the Taoiseach, quit.
Mr Cowen said he believed he had a duty to name a new front bench, even though the detail had not been made clear to the Greens – who have maintained there was a lack of communication about the extent of the planned reshuffle.
“It was not a cynical move by me. It was me taking a political act,” said Mr Cowen.
Mr Cowen refused to discuss whether he had any regrets.
“I’m not looking back with regrets,” he said.
“I’ve made a big decision today. We are talking about the future of our country. We will have plenty of time to talk about the past.”
The Taoiseach made the announcement at the city centre Merrion Hotel – where IMF chiefs based themselves during last year’s bailout talks – just 24 hours after he strongly denied he should stand down.
He maintained he had not been in touch with senior party figures in relation to his decision, but had been given time and space to make his own mind up.
“It was only when I went home last night and had a discussion with my family and made a political assessment of the situation taking everything into account,” he revealed.
Mr Cowen said he still believed it would be better if the position of Taoiseach was filled by a party leader, but declined to name who he believed should succeed him.
He also stressed he wanted to reassure the public that the Government would still do its business despite his resignation.
“We will manage the situation and people need to be assured of that,” he said.
“This is the first time this has happened for the Fianna Fáil party but I want to assure you that the Government will discharge its duties properly and appropriately ... it does not in any way affect government business.”
The Greens, threatened to bring down the Government earlier this week in a row over filling Cabinet seats left empty by a string of ministerial resignations.
After six resignations from 15 Cabinet positions, and the Greens standing strong against new, short-term appointments ahead of the March election, the Taoiseach was forced to make his remaining ministers take on extra departments.