Cowen to be confirmed as party leader

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will be elected the new Fianna Fáil leader-designate during a 9am special meeting of the parliamentary…

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will be elected the new Fianna Fáil leader-designate during a 9am special meeting of the parliamentary party at Leinster House tomorrow.

The Tánaiste was the only member to put his name forward to succeed Bertie Ahern on May 6th. This followed Mr Ahern’s announcement last week that he is to resign from the position of Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil.

Mr Cowen was the only member of Fianna Fail to put his name forward to succeed Bertie Ahern
Mr Cowen was the only member of Fianna Fail to put his name forward to succeed Bertie Ahern

Mr Cowen is to speak to the media at midday at the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street.

Fianna Fáil chief whip Tom Kitt confirmed at the close of nominations for the leadership on Saturday that Mr Cowen was the only one out of 78 TDs to put his name forward as Mr Ahern’s successor.

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Fianna Fáil has seen its support climb 5 per cent in the immediate aftermath of the Taoiseach's resignation announcement. The poll published in the Sunday Business Postput Fianna Fáil's support at 40 per cent.

According to the poll, Mr Cowen has the support of 63 per cent of those polled, while Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny has the backing of just 24 per cent.

Tonight, Fianna Fáil is set to officially accept Mayo TD Beverley Flynn back into the parliamentary party when it meets in Dublin. The party meeting is expected to end at 7pm.

Ms Flynn rejoined the party on Thursday night after Fianna Fáil's national executive unanimously approved her letter seeking to be readmitted into the party.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said her readmission to Fianna Fáil was the correct decision and was taken at an appropriate time. Mr Ahern made the formal proposal on her behalf on Thursday.

"At the time as you know there were things that she had not been able to deal with. We always said that when they were dealt with she would be able to return," the Taoiseach said.