Cowen’s fate rests on whim of FF renegades

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has lost his outright Dáil majority and his fate now rests on the whim of renegade Fianna Fáil deputies.

Sligo-based TDs Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon resigned the party whip in protest at the removal of cancer services from the local hospital. The pair had met with the Taoiseach last week and pleaded with him to compromise on a decision to move breast cancer services to Galway.

Dr Devins said he will now decide his Dáil vote on a “case by case basis”.