Cowen wins confidence vote

Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight retained control of the ruling Fianna Fáil party after winning a motion of confidence in his leadership.

Mr Cowen saw off the challenge from Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin and will head the party in the upcoming general election.

Voters are expected to go to the polls in late March.

In a brief statement a party official said: ``The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has voted confidence in the leadership of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD.''

Seventy-one TDs voted in a secret ballot after a near three-hour meeting in the party rooms in Leinster House, Dublin.

Mr Cowen had retained majority support of the Cabinet ahead of the vote.