Derailed talks deal Cowen a crushing blow

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was dealt another crushing blow this weekend following the collapse of talks with former Uachtarán Fianna Fail Bertie Ahern.

Mr Cowen, who had travelled to Fagan’s for the encounter, was trying to negotiate a return to power for the Drumcondraman. Talks broke down before closing time last night.

Mr Ahern initially seemed amenable to the idea of turning back the clock, and was particularly confident of his abilities to swing a yes vote in next February’s rerun of the Lisbon referendum, and to save the National Pay Talks.

But sources close to Mr Cowen say negotiations floundered when Mr Ahern insisted on a booming economy before he would retake the reigns. This was Mr Ahern’s only sine qua non.

The Taoiseach was taken aback by Mr Ahern’s doggedness on this issue, and is said to have met the request with repeated silences.

‘Unless the impasse is resolved, social partnership will be a thing of the past,’ said Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore. ‘We need Ahern at this crucial time. If he were to return, I can guarantee the Labour party - and I think i can say the Mulligar Entente - won't mention the 't' word.’

Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said failure was ‘indicative of Brian Cowen.’