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21/01/2011
Cabinet Chaos Causes Confidence Collapse
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 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 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 Will Be Dissolved This Afternoon
The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen will travel to the official residence of the State's President this afternoon to ask Mary McAleese to dissolve the Dáil. Minister for Local Government Éamon Ó Cuív is then expected to formally announce the election date soon after, although that date is already strongly expected to be February 25.
Dáil Will Be Dissolved This Afternoon
The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen will travel to the official residence of the State's President this afternoon to ask Mary McAleese to dissolve the Dáil. Minister for Local Government Éamon Ó Cuív is then expected to formally announce the election date soon after, although that date is already strongly expected to be February 25.
17 June 2010
Kenny's Leadership 'Threatened By Defections'
The defection of two high-profile party spokesmen last night has thrown into serious doubt Enda Kenny's prospects of winning his vote of no confidence. Mr Kenny arrived 'feeling great' at Leinster House this morning ahead of the no confidence vote being taken by members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
Kenny's Leadership 'Threatened By Defections'
The defection of two high-profile party spokesmen last night has thrown into serious doubt Enda Kenny's prospects of winning his vote of no confidence. Mr Kenny arrived 'feeling great' at Leinster House this morning ahead of the no confidence vote being taken by members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
16 June 2010
Lobbying Battle Over 'No Confidence' In Kenny
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has launched a campaign of intensive lobbying after nine members of the Fine Gael frontbench said they no longer have confidence in his leadership. Tomorrow, Mr Kenny faces his own vote of no confidence after the Taoiseach Brian Cowen scraped through a Daíl wide vote of confidence by five votes yesterday.
Lobbying Battle Over 'No Confidence' In Kenny
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has launched a campaign of intensive lobbying after nine members of the Fine Gael frontbench said they no longer have confidence in his leadership. Tomorrow, Mr Kenny faces his own vote of no confidence after the Taoiseach Brian Cowen scraped through a Daíl wide vote of confidence by five votes yesterday.
04 June 2010
Second Senator To 'Clarify' Expenses
A second Irish Senatoor is being asked to "clarify" the expenses he has claimed after the supplementary payments to members of both houses were published last week. Last night Taoiseach Brian Cowen set in motion the process to exclude Senator Ivor Callely from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party over his €81,000 in travel allowance claims.
Second Senator To 'Clarify' Expenses
A second Irish Senatoor is being asked to "clarify" the expenses he has claimed after the supplementary payments to members of both houses were published last week. Last night Taoiseach Brian Cowen set in motion the process to exclude Senator Ivor Callely from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party over his €81,000 in travel allowance claims.
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.
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Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
