Cowen appointed director of FF referendum campaign

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has been appointed as director of Fianna Fail’s Nice Treaty referendum campaign following the resignation of PJ Mara this afternoon.

Mr Mara stepped down from the position after yesterday’s report from the Flood Tribunal accused him of "failing to co-operate" with the inquiry.

The report said Mr Mara did not reveal the existence of a bank account in the Isle of Man when he gave a sworn statement to the tribunal, which is investigating corrupt payments to politicians in return for planning favours.