Gilmore book says Labour almost left Coalition over Callinan row

Former Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is to claim in a new book that he contemplated leading the Labour Party out of Government at the height of Garda controversies that engulfed the Coalition last year.

Mr Gilmore is also expected to say that at one stage he thought about how he would phrase his resignation letter.

The former Tánaiste is also expected to say he was quelling anger at Joan Burton because of her behaviour during his time Labour leader.

He also claims in the book that he contemplated leading the Labour Party out of Government at the height of Garda controversies that engulfed the Coalition last year,

Mr Gilmore's book, Inside the Room: The untold story of Ireland's crisis government, chronicles his period in the Tánaiste's office from 2011 until 2014, is due to be published in the coming days.

He also describes how he was asked to resign from Cabinet when Joan Burton took over as Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party. Mr Gilmore stepped down from the leadership in May 2014.

It is understood Mr Gilmore speaks of being “court-martialed” by the new party leadership and says he was dismissed in a brief conversation, which he equates to being “shot at dawn”.

It is further understood Mr Gilmore says his relationship with Ms Burton deteriorated to such an extent that he was quelling anger at her behaviour while he was leader.

The Dún Laoghaire TD also describes how the incoming government in 2011 was told money may not be available to pay teachers after the summer break.

He said contingency plans were drawn up in the event of a euro collapse, including emergency legislation disguised as legislation to prepare for a flu pandemic.

Another significant element of the book is understood to centre on the retirement of Martin Callinan as Garda commissioner in March 2014.

Mr Callinan retired the morning of a Cabinet meeting when Ministers were informed about the issue of the taping of phone calls at Garda stations.

However, later that day an earlier letter from Mr Callinan to Department of Justice outlining the recording systems came to light.

Sources said this led to a moment when Mr Gilmore and senior Labour figures were unsure if the letter had been deliberately withheld by Fine Gael, or whether the failure to disclose its existence and contents was accidental.

It is understood the Dún Laoghaire TD will largely defend the performance of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition, and specifically his party as the junior partner in that Government.