Irish Prime Minister Cowen to dissolve parliament on Tuesday

Fri, 28 Jan 2011

Dublin - Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced Friday he would dissolve the Irish parliament next Tuesday and announce the date of the general election.

He told state broadcaster RTE that he would tell the Dail (Irish parliament) of his intention on Tuesday afternoon and then go to the president for permission to dissolve the Dail.

February 25th is now the most likely date for the election.

Cowen, who resigned after a series of controversies as leader of the Fianna Fail party last weekend, remained as prime minister to oversee the passage of the Finance Bill, which gives legislative effect to last December's austerity budget, agreed upon as part of the EU/IMF bailout for Ireland.

The Finance Bill was passed by parliament Thursday.

The Senate began a two-day debate on the bill Friday, which will enforce 6 billion euros' (8.2 billion dollars) worth of tax hikes and cutbacks.

It is expected to pass the bill Saturday.

Opposition Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams welcomed Cowen's intention to seek the dissolution of the Dail on Tuesday.

"I welcome this long overdue announcement from Brian Cowen," Adams said.

"The people will be glad to see the back of this totally discredited government," he added.

Governing Fianna Fail, whom the electorate blame for mishandling Ireland's banking and financial crises, are expected to receive a drubbing at the polls with their support currently at 14 per cent.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/364800,cowen-dissolve-parliament-tuesday.html.