Cowen sole nominee for Fianna Fáil Leader

Cowen sole nominee for Fianna Fáil Leader Following the close of nominations at 2pm, Saturday 5 April, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen TD was announced as sole candidate for election as the 7th Leader of the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party. Minister Cowen was proposed by Minister Brian Lenihan and seconded by Minister Mary Coughlan.

Chief Whip Tom Kitt TD confirmed that at the close of nominations at 2:00pm today, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen TD was the sole candidate for election as the 7th Leader of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party.

An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen TD was proposed byMinister for Justice Brian Lenihan TD and seconded by Minister forAgriculture Mary Coughlan TD, to succeed the current Leader of Fianna Fáil,An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD.

The new Leader will be elected at the special meeting of the Fianna FáilParliamentary party on Wednesday 9th April at 9am.

The new Taoiseach will be elected by Dáil Eireann on Wednesday 7th May.

Speaking this afternoon, Mr Cowen said “I am deeply honoured by the confidence shown in me by the members of the Parliamentary Party. It is a reflection of the support of the wider Fianna Fáil membership throughout the country. I am grateful for that overwhelming endorsement of my candidacy for the leadership of the party at this time.”