Foreign minister quits after Irish PM issues challenge

Irish foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin has tendered his resignation to Taoiseach Brian Cowen and will vote against him in a motion of confidence this week as leader of the ruling Fianna Fail party.

After Mr Cowen challenged rebel ministers and backbenchers to vote him out yesterday, Mr Martin confirmed he would fight for a change in leadership. He said the Taoiseach indicated he believed his resignation was not necessary.

Mr Martin - singled out as Mr Cowen's main challenger - now faces the task of drumming up enough rebel support to oust the Taoiseach in a secret ballot.

"I welcome the decision of the Taoiseach to table a vote of confidence in himself at next Tuesday's parliamentary party meeting. I will, in accordance with my views, be voting against the motion of confidence," Mr Martin said.

"In these circumstances, I have offered my resignation to the Taoiseach."

Earlier, Mr Cowen said he did not believe his party colleagues wanted a new leader. He said: "I do not believe it to be in the country's interests nor do I believe it to be the settled collective view of my colleagues in the parliamentary party."

"Having one line of authority as a Taoiseach and a separate line of authority in political decision-making as a leader of Fianna Fail is not in my view a good idea.

"It could lead to confusion and dilution of authority."