Brian Cowen to address media at 2pm

There is increasing speculation that Brian Cowen will stand down as Fianna Fáil leader this afternoon but remain on as Taoiseach until the General Election.

Mr Cowen has called a press conference in Dublin city centre which is due to get underway in the next half hour.

It comes after one of the Taoiseach's toughest weeks in politics amid mass resignations from his Cabinet Ministers.

He will deliver the statement to the media at Dublin's Merrion Hotel, which is across the road from government buildings, at 2pm.