Cowen 'To Win' Confidence Vote

Despite public approval ratings in the Irish Republic being at an all time low of 18%, Taoiseach, Brian Cowen has announced he is expects to win today's Daíl vote of no confidence in him.

Fianna Fáil countered a Fine Gael motion for a vote of no-confidence in the Taoiseach by proposing their own vote, which will be taken today.

The Opposition leader, Enda Kenny, tabled his motion following criticism of the Government in the reports on the banking crisis last week.

Mr Cowen has said he is confident the Dáil will support him in the vote. He also said the Government will outline what it is doing to foster economic recovery.

A recent poll found that only 21% of voters want Mr Cowen to remain as Taoiseach, while his satisfaction rating dropped 8% to 18%.

Speaking yesterday, Brian Cowen said: "The Government is united in pursuing policies that are necessary to establish recovery as quickly as possible and we'll take the opportunity to set out the decisions we have been taking, the basis for those decisions and our plans for the future.

"We welcome that opportunity and I believe there will be support in the House for the confidence motion in the Government."

Apart from the Order of Business, all other items have cleared from the agenda for the confidence debate.

(DW/GK)