Brian Cowen [SEP] position held
Brian Cowen
Brian Bernard Cowen (born 10 January 1960) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 2008 to 2011, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011, Minister for Foreign Affairs from January 2011 to March 2011 and 2000 to 2004, Minister for Defence from February 2011 to March 2011, Tánaiste from 2007 to 2008, Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2002 to 2008, Minister for Finance from 2004 to 2008, Minister for Health and Children from 1997 to 2000, Minister for Transport,
Minister Micheál Martin becoming the eighth leader of the party.
Deputy leaders.
The Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil is usually a senior politician within Fianna Fáil.
Like other political party leaders, the leader of Fianna Fáil has the power to appoint of dismiss their deputy. The position is not an elected one and is largely honorific.
The office of Tánaiste has been held by senior politicians in the main governing party. Previous Fianna Fáil Deputy leaders, including Brian Cowen and Mary Coughlan, held this post from 2007