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21/01/2011
Cabinet 'Collapse In Confidence For Cowen'
Thursday's Cabinet reshuffle debacle has prompted Fianna Fail members to call for the vote of confidence in the Taoiseach to be revisited.
During a day of chaotic scenes in the Dáil and the resignation of five members of the Cabinet, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea has asked party members who voted confidence in Brian Cowen (pictured here) earlier this week to reconsider their decision.
Mr O'Dea made the statement on this morning's Morning Ireland programme, while his comments were quickly followed by his party colleague Mary O'Rourke who said the issue of Mr Cowen's leadership should be re-visited.
Ms O'Rourke said the unprecedented resignations and reshuffle had "changed things" since Tuesday's parliamentry meeting, where Mr Cowen narrowly won a vote of confidence.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen was yesterday forced to announce the date for the general election as March 11th by the junior coalition party, The Green Party, who's leader John Gormley was left incensed at the exclusion of the party from the reshuffle process.
The parties are believed to be at loggerheads again this morning after Government Chief Whip John Curran claimed the Green Party had no concerns over the plan for new appointments.
In a statement from the Green Party this morning, the party claimed that its TDs and senators today welcomed the Taoiseach’s decision not to appoint new ministers to government. They also welcomed Mr Cowen’s decision to fix March 11 as the date for a general election.
"We hope these decisions, coupled with the resolution of the Fianna Fail leadership issue on Tuesday, can allow this Government to return to work for its final weeks," the statement read.
Responding to the news of the election date, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Ireland had 50 days to bring "real change to our country".
"Ireland has many difficulties, but our capacities are far greater than our problems. This is a great country, and our people are more than equal to the task we face. Of building a better future for our children. Of ensuring that our best days are still to come."
(DW/KMcA)
During a day of chaotic scenes in the Dáil and the resignation of five members of the Cabinet, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea has asked party members who voted confidence in Brian Cowen (pictured here) earlier this week to reconsider their decision.
Mr O'Dea made the statement on this morning's Morning Ireland programme, while his comments were quickly followed by his party colleague Mary O'Rourke who said the issue of Mr Cowen's leadership should be re-visited.
Ms O'Rourke said the unprecedented resignations and reshuffle had "changed things" since Tuesday's parliamentry meeting, where Mr Cowen narrowly won a vote of confidence.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen was yesterday forced to announce the date for the general election as March 11th by the junior coalition party, The Green Party, who's leader John Gormley was left incensed at the exclusion of the party from the reshuffle process.
The parties are believed to be at loggerheads again this morning after Government Chief Whip John Curran claimed the Green Party had no concerns over the plan for new appointments.
In a statement from the Green Party this morning, the party claimed that its TDs and senators today welcomed the Taoiseach’s decision not to appoint new ministers to government. They also welcomed Mr Cowen’s decision to fix March 11 as the date for a general election.
"We hope these decisions, coupled with the resolution of the Fianna Fail leadership issue on Tuesday, can allow this Government to return to work for its final weeks," the statement read.
Responding to the news of the election date, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Ireland had 50 days to bring "real change to our country".
"Ireland has many difficulties, but our capacities are far greater than our problems. This is a great country, and our people are more than equal to the task we face. Of building a better future for our children. Of ensuring that our best days are still to come."
(DW/KMcA)
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01 February 2011
Dáil Dissolved And Election Announced
The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen has travelled to the official residence of the State's President this afternoon to ask Mary McAleese to dissolve the Dáil. The date of the general election was then formally announced by Local Government Minister Eamon O Cuiv after the Taoiseach went to Aras an Uachtarain to ask the President to end the 30th Dáil.
Dáil Dissolved And Election Announced
The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen has travelled to the official residence of the State's President this afternoon to ask Mary McAleese to dissolve the Dáil. The date of the general election was then formally announced by Local Government Minister Eamon O Cuiv after the Taoiseach went to Aras an Uachtarain to ask the President to end the 30th Dáil.
23 November 2010
Confidence Vote Looms For Taoiseach
A Fianna Fáil TD has began the process for a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Backbencher Tom Kitt is believed to be taking signatures within the party, along with five other rebel deputies pushing for new leadership ahead of January's election. Eighteen signatures are needed for the motion.
Confidence Vote Looms For Taoiseach
A Fianna Fáil TD has began the process for a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Backbencher Tom Kitt is believed to be taking signatures within the party, along with five other rebel deputies pushing for new leadership ahead of January's election. Eighteen signatures are needed for the motion.
19 January 2011
Cowen To Discuss Election After Vote Win
Irish Premier Brian Cowen has won last night's vote of confidence in his leadership, but is not yet out of trouble as he meets to discuss a date for the upcoming election. Some 71 Fianna Fail TDs in the Fianna Fail parliamentary party voted by secret ballot at a meeting last night.
Cowen To Discuss Election After Vote Win
Irish Premier Brian Cowen has won last night's vote of confidence in his leadership, but is not yet out of trouble as he meets to discuss a date for the upcoming election. Some 71 Fianna Fail TDs in the Fianna Fail parliamentary party voted by secret ballot at a meeting last night.
01 October 2010
Polls Puts Lenihan Ahead As Irish Leader
A poll has revealed that the public favour a change of Taoiseach with the front runner being Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. According to the Irish Times poll this morning, the current Minister for Finance (pictured here) is favoured by the public to replace Brian Cowen, leading his nearest rival, Michéal Martin, by 21 percentage points.
Polls Puts Lenihan Ahead As Irish Leader
A poll has revealed that the public favour a change of Taoiseach with the front runner being Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. According to the Irish Times poll this morning, the current Minister for Finance (pictured here) is favoured by the public to replace Brian Cowen, leading his nearest rival, Michéal Martin, by 21 percentage points.
24 January 2011
Irish Election Date Looms As Greens Quit
In dramatic events over the weekend, the Green Party has left the coalition Government forcing the March election date to be brought forward. The election date is now expected to take place on February 25, but a concrete date will not be set unless the crucial Finance Bill is passed over the next week to 10 days.
Irish Election Date Looms As Greens Quit
In dramatic events over the weekend, the Green Party has left the coalition Government forcing the March election date to be brought forward. The election date is now expected to take place on February 25, but a concrete date will not be set unless the crucial Finance Bill is passed over the next week to 10 days.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
