Cowen in crisis

Brian Cowen's future as leader of Fianna Fáil and as Taoiseach was teetering on the brink last night. A parliamentary party meeting took place yesterday at which sources said the Offaly man stood firm in his determination to lead the party into the next election. At the time of going to press, it emerged that Mr Cowen told his party that he would talk to party members individually, including those who have reservations about his leadership to address their concerns and would then make a decision based on what's in the best interests for the party. Senior ministers are believed to have told their leader that something needed to be done as the public's confidence in the party was at an all-time low. And there were indications that a number had privately raised the issue of the Taoiseach's own position. A number of TDs were hoping that Mr Cowen would step down rather than having to go through with a motion of no confidence. At the time of going to press, the position of senior party ministers was not clear - and there remains significant doubts over the Taoiseach's ability to retain his leadership of Fianna Fáil. Although the issue has been parked after the parliamentary party meeting, it's not yet clear what view potential future leaders of the party, such as Michael Martin or Brian Lenihan, are going to take on the Taoiseach's continuation as party leader. Cowen's position as party leader has come under intense pressure this week, following further revelations about his contacts with Anglo Irish Bank officials and the controversial game of golf and dinner he had with Anglo Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick in the lead-up to the controversial bank guarantee in September 2008. Cowen has denied that any banking issues were discussed that day. And last night, his position remained seriously in question.