Cowen: I’m not a Taoiseach who’s on probation

BRIAN COWEN has insisted he is not a “Taoiseach on probation” in an effort to quell a growing threat of backbench revolt and ease political uncertainty ahead of today’s auction of Government bonds.

The Taoiseach’s statement on the steps of Government Buildings followed a day of upheaval in which two prominent Fianna Fáil TDs publicly urged him to consider stepping aside while the cost of Government borrowing hit its highest level since joining the euro.

A week after the Fianna Fáil drinking session in Galway and Mr Cowen’s disastrous radio interview the following morning, the Taoiseach dug his heels in, saying he will not resign and his party had “the determination and a unity of purpose needed for this country at this time”.