Brian Cowen (born January 1960) is a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a TD for Laois Offaly since 1984 and has been Minister for Finance since 2004. Cowen has previously served as Minister for Labour (1992-1993), Minister for Energy (1993), Minister for Transport, Energy & Communications (1993-1994), Minister for Health & Children (1997-2000) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2000-2004). He is also the Deputy-Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party.
Early Life
Cowen was born in Tullamore, County Offaly, the son of Bernard Cowen, a former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator. Cowen was educated at Clara National School, Ard Scoil Naomh Chiaráin, Mount St. Joseph's College and University College Dublin where he studied law. He qualified as a solicitor from the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Dublin. Cowen was elected to Dáil Éireann in the Laois Offaly by-election in 1984, caused by the death of his father. He was also elected to Offaly County Council in the same year, serving until 1992.
Political Life
Cowen remained on the backbenches until 1991 when he alligned himself to Albert Reynolds and the Country & Western grouping - so called for Reynold's dance hall fortune and their seats being outside Dublin - which tried to bring Reynolds to power. Reynolds succeeded on his second attempt when Charles Haughey retired as Taoiseach in 1992. As a result Cowen was rewarded for his support by being appointed Minister for Labour. The following year a new Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition came to power. Cowen remained in the Cabinet, first becoming Minister for Energy and later Minister for Transport, Energy & Communications.
In 1994 Reynolds resigned, Fianna Fáil were out of power and Bertie Ahern became the new leader of the Party. Cowen was appointed Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food & Forestry and later Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1997 Cowen became Minister for Health & Children. Having received what many describe as the most thankless portfolio in the Cabinet Cowen was relieved to be promoted to Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2000. Having dealt with a prolonged nurses strike Cowen himself described his period in the Health portfolio as like being in Angola. Brian Cowen's tenure as Foreign Minister has seen extensive negotiations continue regarding the Northern Ireland peace process and various other international activities. In 2004 he played a large role during Ireland's Presidency of the European Council.
In 2003 Cowen was the victim of a bizarre personal attack by the leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party Ian Paisley, an outspoken critic of the Republic of Ireland and its government. In front of a crowd of party supporters and in the presence of television cameras and radio reporters, Paisley launched into a diatribe about Cowen's personal appearance (making reference to Cowen's mother as well), much to the obvious embarrassment of his more moderate supporters and to the discomfort of his senior party colleagues. "Biffo" Cowen did not rise to the bait, however, and the entire episode has served to heighten the gulf between Paisley and more balanced voices within Northern Irish unionism.
In September, 2004 the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced his long awaited Cabinet reshuffle. Following the departure of Charlie McCreevy it was no secret that Cowen was destined to succeed him in the top Cabinet position as Minister for Finance. On December 1, 2004 Cowen announced his first budget, a budget that was generally seen as a give-away budget, the first of three in the run-up to the expected general election in 2007.
The Future
Both Brian Cowen and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheál Martin, are seen as the two possible contenders to succeed Bertie Ahern as leader of Fianna Fáil. Cowen is seen as the heir-apparent and as Ahern's preferred successor. This was evident in his appointement as Deputy-Leader of Fianna Fáil in 2002. However, Cowen is reluctant to comment on his political ambition and has stated that he is satisfied serving as a Cabinet Minister at the moment.
Cowan's detractors refer to him as "BIFFO" - the polite explanation is that this is short for "big ignorant fellow from Offaly".
Cabinet Positions
| Preceded by: Michael O'Kennedy | Minister for Labour (1992-1993) | Followed by: Mervyn Taylor |
| Preceded by: Albert Reynolds | Minister for Energy (1993) | Followed by: Charlie McCreevy |
| Preceded by: Charlie McCreevy | Minister for Transport, Energy & Communications (1993-1994) | Followed by: Michael Lowry |
| Preceded by: Michael Noonan | Minister for Health & Children (1997-2000) | Followed by: Micheál Martin |
| Preceded by: David Andrews | Minister for Foreign Affairs 2000-2004 | Followed by: Dermot Ahern |
| Preceded by: Charlie McCreevy | Minister for Finance 2004- | Followed by: (Current Incumbent) |