Party rebel felt he had to resign after speaking out

MICHEÁL MARTIN said remaining in office after the rebellion against his party leader was incompatible with his public criticism of Brian Cowen.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister said he took the decision without “any sense of rancour” and that his 13 years in Cabinet had been an honour.

Mr Martin — who had served at the departments of education, health, enterprise and foreign affairs — said he had told Mr Cowen on Sunday if the vote went against him he would step down.