Group tables motion of no confidence in Taoiseach

A Technical Group, Sinn Féin and two Independents, have tabled a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

The leader of the Technical Group in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, announced the motion this afternoon been tabled by the seven members of the group.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: "This Taoiseach and this Government are completely discredited. No effort must be spared to remove them from office. Brian Cowen leads a Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government which has totally mismanaged the economy and sold our sovereignty to the IMF and EU, compounding the economic crisis precipitated by the governments led by his predecessor former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

"We call on Fine Gael and Labour to support this motion of no confidence.

"The Technical Group will not have a Private Members Business opportunity in the Dáil until the beginning of March. If this Taoiseach and Government are not gone by next week then Fine Gael should use their Private Members Time next Tuesday to have this motion put before the Dáil.

"We need an immediate dissolution of the Dáil and a General Election."

The motion will still be taken even if Mr Cowen is no longer Fianna Fáil leader, but remains as Taoiseach.