Curriculum Vitae

Cowen's ascent to power

Age: 48

Profession: solicitor

Married to : Mary Molloy

Children: two daughters, Sinéad and Maedhbh

Educated at: Ardscoil Naomh Ciarán, Clara, Co Offaly; Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co Tipperary; University College, Dublin (BCL); Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Dublin.

Political career:

June 1984: First elected to the Dáil (by-election following the death of his father Bernard Cowen TD)

February 1992 to January 1993: minister for labour

January 1993 to December 1994: minister for transport, energy and communications

December 1994 to March 1997: Fianna Fáil spokesman on agriculture, food and forestry

March 1997 to June 1997: Fianna Fáil spokesman on health

June 1997 to January 2000: minister for health and children

January 2000 to September 2004: minister for foreign affairs

July 2002 to present: deputy leader of Fianna Fáil

September 2004 to present: minister for finance

June 2007 to present : Tánaiste

April 9th, 2008: leader-designate of Fianna Fáil

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times