Martin’s credibility problems won’t be solved by expelling Crowley – Harris

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) said that Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s credibility problems won’t be solved by expelling Brian Crowley, and added that the Party’s position on Europe has been seriously undermined.

“The defection of Brian Crowley to a far right group, which opposes the Euro currency, is clearly mortifying for Micheál Martin. But the Fianna Fáil leader’s problems won’t be solved by expelling Crowley from the Party. Micheál Martin’s credibility on Europe and as Party leader has been seriously undermined by this latest debacle.

“How can Micheál Martin expect to be taken seriously on Europe in the future? He claims to be fully committed to the European project, but serious questions remain for Micheál Martin:

1. How can Fianna Fáil credibly claim to be pro-Europe when the Party’s only MEP has defected to a far right group, which includes parties with strong anti-EU policies?

2. Does this not severely compromise his leadership, especially considering he failed to deliver a single MEP in any other constituency?

3. Does he admit that this leaves Fianna Fáil with no influence at European level?

4. Does he acknowledge that this has further undermined Fianna Fáil’s already damaged reputation in Europe?

“Let us not forget that when he was a minister, Micheál Martin and his Fianna Fáil colleagues gained a reputation in Europe for not attending ministerial meetings with their EU counterparts. On top of this, he has the legacy of being a senior member of the Government which led Ireland into a bailout.

“Having a strong relationship with Europe is crucial for inward investment and job creation. The international community looks to Ireland as being a central member of the Euro. Being without a single MEP puts Micheál Martin, the supposed leader of the Opposition and the man who wants to be Taoiseach, in a severely compromised position.”

ENDS