Taoiseach Brian Cowen has announced he will not contest the
Irish general election.
Mr Cowen (51)  said he had come to the decision
following talks with his family and newly elected Fianna
Fáil leader Micheal Martin.
Mr Cowen said it was time to give the new party leader and
frontbench team he appointed earlier today "a break".
"“I have to take things into consideration now in the
context of the fact of having been Taoiseach and leader of
the party and former leader and giving a break to the new
leader," he said.
Mr Cowen stressed that Mr Martin had not asked him to stand
down. "Everyone in the Fianna Fáil party wanted to see me
stand again," he said.
Mr Cowen said he would remain strongly supportive of Mr
Martin and the party. He believed the party's new leader
could lead Fianna Fáil through a very good election campaign.
“Of course it’s with a heavy heart you make a decision such
as this,” Mr Cowen added.
“It’s a momentous decision for me, but also I think it’s the
right decision because the party now is in the process of
rebuilding and rejuvenating and renewing, and a generational
shift should take place of which I’m a part, certainly in
terms of the tenure I’ve had as a prominent member of the
organisation throughout the country for many years.”
Mr Cowen said playing a role in the Northern Ireland peace
process was his proudest moment in politics.
He said the Fianna Fáil organisation in the Laois-Offaly
area had wanted him to contest the election, which is
expected to take place on February 25th. He would not be
drawn on speculation that his brother, Cllr Barry Cowen,
would contest the election in his place.
Mr Cowen was first elected in 1984 in byelection caused by
death of his father, Bernard “Ber”’ Cowen.
He went on to serve as minister for labour 1992-1993; minister
for transport, energy and communications 1993-1994; minister
for health and children 1997-2000; minister for foreign
affairs 2000-2004; minister for finance 2004-2008 (tánaiste
2007-2008). He was elected Taoiseach in May 2008.
Mr Cowen will dissolve the Dáil Tuesday February first and the
election date will then be set. The Dail will reconvene at
2.30pm local time with a statement from Mr Cowen which is
expected to be followed by remarks from the leaders of Fine
Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and the Greens.
The Taoiseach will then attend Áras an Uachtaráin in the
Phoenix Park to ask President Mary McAleese to formally
dissolve parliament.