UNEMPLOYMENT has almost trebled under Brian Cowen’s watch, Fine Gael said last night after Government backbenchers told the Taoiseach that the jobs crisis must be tackled.

Fianna Fáil today pledged to prioritise job creation, as opponents accused the party of failing to do enough to prevent massive job losses.

There could be stormy scenes at today's Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting in the wake of yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle.