Cowen: Backbiting has to stop

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has told his Fianna Fáil colleagues that the sniping about his leadership has to end.

Mr Cowen faced down his critics at a meeting last night of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, with just two of them - Deputies John McGuinness and Noel O'Flynn - speaking out against him.

But there could be more strife in the party again today as a number of Senators look set to lose the whip over a vote on the Civil Partnership Bill.

At last night's crunch meeting the Taoiseach was backed by Deputies Darragh O'Brien and Bobby Aylward.

He received a standing ovation when he told the gathering the sniping about his leadership had to stop because of the damage it was doing.

Mr Cowen said he is not on probation and that the issue of his leadership cannot be returned to every few months.

Analysts say the lack of a challenger means for now a heave has been put off, but the dissidents are waiting in the wings for someone to step forward.

But the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party could lose some of its members again today or in the coming days, as at least three Senators look set to break ranks on the Civil Partnership Bill, meaning they'll automatically lose the party whip.