Martin encourages TDs to be frank with under-pressure Cowen

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin is encouraging Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators to make their views known to the Taoiseach about his leadership, as a series of meetings between Brian Cowen and TDs takes place today and tomorrow.

Brian Cowen will meet any TD who has concerns about his leadership, and then decide "what he believes to be the collective view of the party".