DEPUTY Willie O’Dea claims that this week’s controversy surrounding Taoiseach Brian Cowen, in which he was forced to deny that he gave a radio interview while drunk, will be without any major repercussions.
“In a week’s time people will still be talking about Anglo Irish Bank and the four billion loan – this is where the focus will be”.
Does he accept that to-date Cowen has proved to be a decidedly uninspirational leader at a time when the country is in dire need of a Taoiseach who seems to empathise with the people and their problems, he responded.
“Communication is not his strong point.
“He had said he would come out more to the people but in hindsight, it might have been wiser if he had waited a few hours before going on radio the other morning. I don’t think, however, that the incident will have major repercussions”.
Unlike Cowen’s radio interview, which made world headlines and portrayed Ireland in a negative light, O’Dea emerged with flying colours from his guest appearance on the Late Late Show last weekend when he confirmed plans to stand again at the next General Election.
Declining to comment on the Fianna Fail leadership issue and any heave by the Lenihan camp to oust Cowen, he cryptically referred to Michael Noonan’s situation when he took over Fine Gael, “which was in decline at the time”.
