Rush to defend Coughlan after potentially divisive intervention

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan defended Tánaiste Mary Coughlan last night after her potentially damaging intervention in the Lisbon campaign.

Ms Coughlan risked reopening old rows after expressing “grave concern” that the pro-treaty parties were not doing enough to secure a Yes vote. Speaking in Donegal on Monday, she said the parties needed to “beef up” their campaigns.

Similar comments made by Mr Cowen in the first Lisbon campaign sparked a massive row with Fine Gael and Labour, who believed their efforts had been belittled by the Taoiseach.