01/02/2011

Dáil Dissolved And Election Announced

The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen has travelled to the official residence of the State's President this afternoon to ask Mary McAleese to dissolve the Dáil.

The date of the general election was then formally announced by Local Government Minister Eamon O Cuiv after the Taoiseach went to Aras an Uachtarain to ask the President to end the 30th Dáil.

Earlier the outgoing Taoiseach became the 20th party TD to announce he was retiring at this election and will not be standing, while two other Fianna Fail TDs, both close friends of Mr Cowen's, Junior Minister John Moloney, and Limerick TD John Cregan, are believed to be reconsidering entering the election race.

The campaign trail is expected to be tough terrain to the Fianna Fail party, with approval ratings for the party at record lows and a new face as leader.

In an interesting twist, the first of many expected in the upcoming election, Mr Cowen's brother Barry has this morning confirmed he is putting himself forward for selection to contest the Laois-Offaly constituency.

He told RTÉ Radio this morning that he was contacted by his local party representatives last night and they asked him to consider running.

He said he was glad, privileged and honoured to accept the challenge. Barry Cowen has been a local councillor in the area.

According to betting website Paddy Power this morning, a Fine Gael and Labour coalition is the most likely outcome at the next election, with odds of 1/16 on while a Fianna Fail and Labour coalition was adjudged a 20/1 long shot.

(DW)

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