Cowen represents Govt for the first time in new role
Tánaiste Brian Cowen will represent the Government in the Dáil for the first time as Taoiseach-in-waiting today.
The Fianna Fáil leader-designate, who will succeed Bertie Ahern on May 7, will preside over the Order of Business.
He will also respond to inquiries from Opposition TDs about forthcoming legislation.
A debate on the 28th amendment to the Constitution to facilitate the Lisbon Treaty referendum will follow before Defence Minister Willie O’Dea takes questions this afternoon.
Mr Cowen is expected to spend the next four weeks honing his leadership style and putting his stamp on Fianna Fáil party policy before taking over as head of Government.
He will also be choosing his first Cabinet but warned the media about idle speculation on the issue.
Mr Cowen, 48, told his first press conference as Fianna Fáil leader-designate yesterday that he hoped to emulate the work rate and patience of Mr Ahern.
He also appealed for media privacy towards his private life.
Mr Cowen, a married father of two from Co Offaly, said: “There is a family side to my life which I wish to see respected.”
He vowed to devote all his energies and abilities to his new responsibilities.
Setting out his vision, the trained solicitor said: “We will strive to build a country strong and free, with decent living standards for all, where our elderly are secure and respected and where our young people can look to their future in Ireland with confidence.
“Now, more than ever, in the years ahead, we will work towards making that dream a reality.”
