44 candidates declare for Europe

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has insisted he is “absolutely” secure in his post even if Fianna Fáil takes an expected hammering from voters in the elections.

Mr Cowen dismissed talk that a pounding in the European and local polls and a poor show in the two Dáil by-elections held on the same day would weaken his authority and threaten his position.

“As far as I’m concerned as democratically elected leader of the Government, the Government will continue,” he said.