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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| New Irish governing party leader | New Irish governing party leader |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Brian Cowen has been formally elected leader of the Irish Republic's ruling party, replacing Bertie Ahern. | Brian Cowen has been formally elected leader of the Irish Republic's ruling party, replacing Bertie Ahern. |
| However, the 48-year-old will not succeed Mr Ahern as taoiseach (prime minister) for another four weeks. | However, the 48-year-old will not succeed Mr Ahern as taoiseach (prime minister) for another four weeks. |
| He had been the only candidate for the leadership of Fianna Fáil, the Republic's largest political party. | |
| At a press conference following his election, Mr Cowen said he would he would steer an "orderly transition" from the Ahern era. | |
| Bertie Ahern announced last Wednesday he was stepping down, amid on-going inquiries about his finances at a tribunal into planning corruption. | Bertie Ahern announced last Wednesday he was stepping down, amid on-going inquiries about his finances at a tribunal into planning corruption. |
| Also at the news conference, Mr Cowen said the peace process in Northern Ireland would remain a priority. | |
| "We look forward to working with everybody in Northern Ireland, in the executive, in the assembly and those with responsibility in the British government." | |
| He said this "this would be to make a reality of the hope that is part of the process that we're now engaged in". | |
| It has long been thought that Mr Cowen would replace Mr Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach. | It has long been thought that Mr Cowen would replace Mr Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach. |
| He was 24 when he was elected to the Dáil (lower house of parliament) in 1984 in a by-election in the Laois-Offaly constituency. It was caused by the death of his father, Ber, at the age of 52. | He was 24 when he was elected to the Dáil (lower house of parliament) in 1984 in a by-election in the Laois-Offaly constituency. It was caused by the death of his father, Ber, at the age of 52. |
| A solicitor and a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) enthusiast, Mr Cowen has served in six cabinet posts including the important portfolios as minister for finance and minister for foreign affairs. | A solicitor and a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) enthusiast, Mr Cowen has served in six cabinet posts including the important portfolios as minister for finance and minister for foreign affairs. |