OPPOSITION LEADERS have described the Government as divided by “suspicion and lack of trust”, and have called for a general election.

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen rejected the criticism, and insisted that, far from being tired, the Government was ready to fulfil its mandate “for the remainder of this term” and “bring recovery and growth back to the economy”.

There were sharp exchanges during Leaders’ Questions as the Opposition derided the Government following the resignation of minister of state Trevor Sargent a week after the resignation of minister for defence Willie O’Dea.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Taoiseach that “you now lead a Government, Taoiseach, that is riven by internal tension, that is divided by suspicion and lack of trust”.

He said “yesterday we witnessed the dignified resignation of former minister of state Trevor Sargent. Contrast that with the actions determined by you last week.”

Mr Kenny said “just as Deputy Sargent recognised that he had made a serious error of judgment can I ask you” if “you accept that you made a serious error of judgment in attempting to defend the indefensible in the case of former minister O’Dea”.

Mr Cowen said “I totally reject the usual negative narrative that comes from the leader of the Opposition”.

He told the Fine Gael leader “you have a lot to answer for in the way your people behaved” following Opposition allegations that the Government was involved in the leak that led to Mr Sargent’s resignation.

The Taoiseach said “the contrast I saw yesterday was the dignity of Deputy Sargent’s statement against what was subsequently suggested outside this House by you and others, that there was something involved by this party in relation to these matters. That’s the contrast I saw.

“It was a pretty pathetic and ham-fisted attempt, I have to say,” said Mr Cowen.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore demanded a general election.

“We can have the predictable partisan arguments across the chamber, but there is a service the Taoiseach needs to do for the country, which is to wind up the Government as quickly as possible and give the people an opportunity of making a decision about who should govern the country in these difficult times.

“If they choose to re-elect the present Government, so be it, but they should at least be given the opportunity.’’

It was a strange and worrying time for people, he said. The iceberg has struck.

“It is not fair or responsible for the Taoiseach, with a battered, broken, tired and now divided Government, to continue to hang on to office in circumstances and times when the people need a competent functioning government in which they can have confidence and one that has a mandate, something the Government no longer has.’’

Mr Cowen said it was clear from the past six months’ debate on the economy that there was not a coherent alternative to the Government’s capacity.

“Far from being tired, let me assure the deputy that we are ready to fulfil our mandate for the remainder of this term, to bring recovery and growth back to the economy.

“The deputy can talk down the economy and the Government all he likes.’’