Cowen continues talks with party members

Brian Cowen will continue meetings concerning his leadership of Fianna Fáil with colleagues today.

TAOISEACH BRIAN COWEN will continue with talks with party members to discuss his leadership of Fianna Fáil today.

Cowen has been meeting with colleagues over the last two days to discuss his future in the party; his support has plummeted in the wake of the revelation he played golf and had dinner with former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean Fitzpatrick in the months before the bank guarantee was granted in 2008.

Cowen has indicated that the consultation process should be concluded by this evening, RTÉ reports.

Meanwhile, speculation about who might take over from Cowen, should he step down, continued yesterday. The Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cúiv expressed an interest in leading the party on Friday, although he stated that he still supported Cowen’s leadership.

The Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin expressed an interest in the role earlier in the week.

The Labour Party has tabled a motion of no confidence in the government, which is due to take place within the next fortnight.