RTÉ Documentaries

Crisis: Inside the Cowen Government Part 2 (2011x2)

Fecha de emisión: Nov 08, 2011

Episode two of Crisis - Inside the Cowen Government begins in September 2010 as Fianna Fáil gather in Galway for their annual Think-In. Morning Ireland presenter Cathal MacCoille speaks for the first time about his infamous interview with Brian Cowen. He shares his thoughts on how Brian Cowen performed in that interview and what he thought of his demeanour. Alan Ahearne, Brian Lenihan's special adviser, reveals for the first time details about Department of Finance negotiations the weekend that senior FF minsters were denying a bailout. He describes how Brian Lenihan wanted the bailout to proceed. As the party moved towards Christmas the question of leadership was on everybody's minds. As 2011 dawned Brian Cowen decided it was time to silence his critics and called a vote of confidence in his leadership. Now for the first time members of the parliamentary party disclose the conversations they had with Brian Cowen. Victory in the vote of confidence led to Brian Cowen attempting to reshuffle his cabinet. This move was seen by many as unnecessary and was not supported by the coalition partner, The Green Party. Without the authority to change his cabinet, Brian Cowen resigned. It brought to an end of a political career that spanned over two decades. Crisis - Inside The Cowen Government assess Brian Cowen's tenure as Taoiseach, his legacy and asks can Fianna Fáil resurrect itself from its worst election result?