Green Party expresses support for Taoiseach

GREEN PARTY ministers have expressed full support in Taoiseach Brian Cowen, but ducked questions on whether they would tolerate another off performance by the head of Government.

Party leader John Gormley also revealed that, while the Cabinet had spoken about Mr Cowen’s Morning Ireland interview at its meeting on Wednesday, ministers had not pressed him into making the subsequent televised apology for his poor performance.

Mr Gormley said he believed Mr Cowen understood what had angered people and it was time for the Government to move on. “I think he has already learned those lessons. I think he fully understands that the interview was below par, as he said himself. He has apologised for that and I think he apologised in a very profound way to the Irish people.