Irish government falls as Greens pull out

Brian Cowen resigned as Fianna Fáil party leader on the 22 January 2011 but said he would stay on as Taoiseach or Prime Minister to oversee the implementation of vital economic legislation until the planned general election on 11 March 2011.

However, on the 23 January 2011 the Green Party in Ireland decided to withdraw from the Irish Government after 'losing patience' with the lack of resolution to the ongoing saga of Fianna Fáil’s leadership. As a result, the date of the election was likely to be brought forward.

Former minister for foreign affairs Micheál Martin was elected as the new leader of Fianna Fáil on the 26 January 2011.

ESO: Background information: Cowen abandons reshuffle and sets election date http://www.europeansources.info/record/cowen-abandons-reshuffle-and-sets-election-date/

Irish Times, 22.1.11: Cowen resigns as FF leader, but to remain as Taoiseach http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0122/breaking5.html

Irish Times, 23.1.11: Green Party 'loses patience' and pulls out of Government http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0123/breaking18.html

BBC News, 23.1.11: Ireland's Green Party quits government of Brian Cowen http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12262486

Deutsche Welle, 22.1.11: Irish premier Brian Cowen quits as party leader http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14780300,00.html

Irish Times, 26.1.11: Finance Bill passes second stage http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0126/breaking6.html

Irish Times, 26.1.11: Micheál Martin elected as eighth leader of Fianna Fáil http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0126/breaking8.html

BBC News, 26.1.11: Michael Martin wins Fianna Fail leadership http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12285988

BBC News, 26.1.11: Irish government crisis: Finance vote in the balance http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12285618

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