Cowen battles to save bill from rebels

THE authority of Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s unravelling administration collapsed further last night as it scrambled to save the budget measures it insists are essential to stop a renewed financial crisis.

The drama unfolded as Micheál Martin appeared to hold a firm lead over rivals for the Fianna Fáil leadership to be decided today, as he launched a last-ditch bid to try and win on the first ballot.

The battle raged as Mr Cowen was left at the mercy of Independents threatening to torpedo the Finance Bill and thus trigger an immediate general election unless they received fresh concessions.