Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The confidence in people who hold elected office in this republic is determined in this House. This is the democratic assembly, as people next to the Deputy often remind me. Deputy Gilmore is making an assertion and that is his view. He was defeated in making that view known in a recent electoral contest, and he was defeated in this House last October. I suspect he would be defeated again were he to try, as he suggests himself. The Taoiseach has the confidence of this assembly, so the Deputy's assertion that he does not is incorrect.

There are no designated successors in this or any other party. The Taoiseach candidly revealed his personal preference, but he said that it is a matter for everyone in this party to decide the next leader. I will not make any such presumption on the identity of the next leader. While he holds the leadership of this party and enjoys the confidence of the House and this party, he will lead this party.

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