Cowen pays tribute to family

Newly-elected Taoiseach Brian Cowen was tonight close to tears as he paid tribute to his family and his late father whose Dáil seat he inherited.

The Co Offaly TD also broke with precedent by insisting that his wife and two daughters accompany him to accept his official seal of office from President Mary McAleese.

He later spoke emotionally about his family to reporters outside the president's Aras an Uachtarain residence in Dublin.

"They are very important to me and without them I wouldn't be where I am today," he said.

Mr Cowen's father Bernard 'Ber' Cowen died suddenly in 1984 and the 24-year-old solicitor was elected in a by-election to take his seat in the Dail parliament.

The new Taoiseach said of his father: "He would be very proud and I think of all those men and women who are with us in spirit.

"But life is movement and we look to the future."

Ber Cowen served as a Senator, TD and junior Government minister in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Earlier in the Dáil the Taoiseach also referred to his father and his immediate family in his acceptance speech after his election.

"I got my grounding in politics from my father, Ber, who had in turn got it from his father Christy - a founding member of Fianna Fail."

He also said it was a proud day for close family members and long-time friends.

He added: "This is a great day for my wife Mary, daughters Sinead and Maedhbh, my mother May, my brothers Christopher and Barry and all other members of Mary and my families.

"I'm also joined by many friends who have made this political journey with me and mine for many years. Their presence fortifies me today."

Mr Cowen's first official engagement will be to attend the Northern Ireland investment conference in Belfast tomorrow.