Former foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cúiv have all tonight officially confirmed they are to contest the leadership of Fianna Fáil.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted he had no regrets after dramatically resigning today as leader of Fianna Fáil.

Former foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin has confirmed he is to contest the leadership of Fianna Fáil.

The new and eighth leader of Fianna Fáil will be elected by secret ballot within the next four days.

Nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fail will close at lunchtime on Monday with an election by secret ballot to be held at 2pm on Wednesday, party chairman John Browne has confirmed.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the Irish people do not want the Government to remain in office for another single day.

The full text of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's announcement at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin this afternoon:

Speaking following the resignation of Brian Cowen as Fianna Fáil leader today, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny called for the immediate dissolution of the Government.

Brian Cowen spoke to John Gormley, leader of the Greens, before making today's announcement that he was to resign as leader of Fianna Fáil, but did not consult with any Cabinet colleagues before making his decision to step down.

Brian Cowen today announced he is standing down as leader of Fianna Fáil but will remain at the head of Government until the March 11 General Election.

The leadership of Fianna Fáil will be decided in the next week, out-going Taoiseach Brian Cowen has indicated.

Out-going leader of Fianna Fáil Brian Cowen has said he will offer unstinting support to the new leader of the party, whoever he or she is.

Brian Cowen has confirmed that he is resigning as leader of Fianna Fáil, but will stay on as Taoiseach until the General Election.

There are reports that An Taoiseach Brian Cowen will step down as leader of Fianna Fáil today, but intends to remain on as Taoiseach until the General Election.

There is increasing speculation that Brian Cowen will stand down as Fianna Fáil leader this afternoon but remain on as Taoiseach until the General Election.

Embattled Taoiseach Brian Cowen defied his critics today and said he will lead his party into the March General Election and beyond.

Government Chief Whip John Curran, who supported the Taoiseach during this week's confidence motion, has said another motion of confidence in the Taoiseach could be accommodated.

Two high-profile Fianna Fáil backbenchers, Mary O'Rourke and John McGuinness, are now calling for the party-leadership issue to be revisited after yesterday's botched Cabinet reshuffle.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke has said the issue of her party's leadership should be revisited.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was tonight facing calls from within his own ranks to resign after plans for a Cabinet reshuffle almost collapsed the Government.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen says it is not yet decided who will go to Washington for St Patrick's Day.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today said he had no regrets about the events of the last few days, and that this is far from the end of his political career.

The Tourism and Culture Minister Mary Hanafin has said she did not vote for Brian Cowen in last night's confidence motion.

Micheál Martin has officially resigned as a member of the Cabinet with the Taoiseach taking over the position.

The Fianna Fáil party will today begin picking up the pieces after a bruising leadership challenge which saw Brian Cowen survive as leader, and Micheál Martin resign as Foreign Affairs Minister.

The Labour Party has said that although Brian Cowen may have survived as Leader of Fianna Fáil - events of the past week "have removed any remaining shred of credibility" that the Government had.

Following Brian Cowen’s victory in the Fianna Fáil confidence motion tonight, Micheál Martin has offered his resignation to the Taoiseach who has accepted it.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight retained control of the ruling Fianna Fáil party after winning a motion of confidence in his leadership.

Fianna Fáil backbencher Charlie O'Connor has said the Taoiseach Brian Cowen is being well received by the party at their meeting which is underway in Leinster House.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has not got the bottle for a leadership coup, a disgruntled backbencher claimed today.

The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is denying he misled any backbenchers into believing he would oust Brian Cowen as Fianna Fáil leader.

The Environment Minister John Gormley has said the Fianna Fáil leadership challenge is distracting from the work of the Government.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan accused the Taoiseach of a lack of judgment today as he reignited controversy over the so-called “gargle-gate” radio interview.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan has confirmed that he will support Brian Cowen in tonight's motion of confidence.

Sources close to Justice Minister Dermot Ahern have said he intends to support Brian Cowen in tonight's motion of confidence in the Taoiseach, assuming a procedure can be put in place to allow him to vote from hospital.

Longford Westmeath TD Mary O'Rourke is the latest Deputy to pledge support to the Taoiseach as leader of Fianna Fáil ahead of tonight's confidence motion in Brian Cowen.

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern is keen to vote in today's motion of confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen, with a procedure to allow him to vote from his hospital bed being worked out today.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen will go toe to toe today with rebel ministers in the fight for leadership of Fianna Fáil.

The Taoiseach has disputed claims that Fianna Fáil would win more seats under a new party leader.

The Taoiseach has said he respects the decision of Willie O'Dea to vote against him in a confidence motion tomorrow.

The former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has said he will be voting against Brian Cowen in tomorrow's Fianna Fáil confidence motion.

Brian Cowen has said he is confident he would survive his own motion of confidence in his leadership.

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, has announced that he will not support the Taoiseach Brian Cowen in tomorrow's vote of confidence being held by Fianna Fáil.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said Micheál Martin's offer of resignation "remains on the table".