O'Rourke: FF move against Cowen would be 'futile'

A Fianna Fáil TD has said the party is far too near a General Election for a leadership heave.

Outspoken Longford Westmeath TD, Mary O'Rourke, also said any moves within the party would be "futile".

Newspaper reports today suggest that the party could be on the brink of a leadership heave, with a challenge coming from either senior Ministers or backbenchers today.

The TDs understood to be behind the move are denying any involvement this morning before a meeting of the parliamentary party at midday.