Growing Calls For Cowen To Quit

The Irish Cabinet is exhibiting growing "unease" about the leadership of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

Even among supporters within Ireland's ruling party, fresh doubts have surfaced today with the Dáil Tourism Minister, Mary Hanafin, saying she would give her own views when she meets Mr Cowen later.

This meeting is part of a one-to-one charm offensive undertaken by the beleaguered Taoiseach and announced on Thursday.

However, Mr Cowen has repeated that he is not resigning as party leader of Fianna Fail even though the Minister of State, Conor Lenihan had already said he thought there was an "appetite for change" of party leader.

He said he thought it was now up to his brother, Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, Ms Hanafin or Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin to show leadership - as each of these are deemed as candidates for Mr Cowen's role.

Yesterday, amidst increasing speculation that Fianna Fáil could be on the brink of a leadership change - Brian Cowen's position remained perilous - with a challenge from either senior Ministers or backbenchers has been mooted.

However, while the parliamentary party met with Brian Cowen for a showdown over a motion of no confidence, the Longford Westmeath TD, Mary O'Rourke, said any such moves within the party would be "futile".

Even 24 hours is a long time in politics however, as TDs understood to be against the move to oust Mr Cowen and were first denying any involvement, have since said that Mr Cowen's explanation of his Anglo contacts in the Dáil on Wednesday has tipped many backbenchers 'over the edge'.

However, influential TD, Mary O'Rourke has since said the party is "far too near a General Election for a leadership heave".

(BMcC/GK)