THE TÁINISTE MARY Coughlan has said that the taoiseach Brian Cowen will make an announcement later today concerning his decision on whether he plans to continue as leader of Fianna Fáil.

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme, Coughlan said that Cowen has completed a two-day round of consultations with his colleagues in relation to his position as party leader, but said that she did not wish to speculate about whether Cowen would lead the party into the next general election.

She added that Fianna Fáil had always put the country first – at times to the party’s detriment.

There has been voices of support and criticism from within Cowen’s own party. Yesterday, Noel O’Flynn called on the taoiseach to stand aside and allow Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin to take over as leader of the party. However, the Minister for Children Barry Andrews was vocal in his support for Cowen.

Opposition parties have said that Cowen should stand down, saying his position is untenable.