Hanafin maintains silence as Cowen discusses election date

The Fianna Fáil party will today begin picking up the pieces after a bruising leadership challenge which saw Brian Cowen survive as leader, and Micheál Martin resign as Foreign Affairs Minister.

The Taoiseach will now consider a replacement for Michael Martin who has pledged to support the party, and said he will remain loyal to the Government in the run-up to the election.