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| New Irish governing party leader | New Irish governing party leader |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| 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 has been the only candidate for the leadership of Fianna Fáil, the Republic's largest political party. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |