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18 January 2011
Last updated at 17:33 ET
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Mr Martin spoke to reporters after the prime minister won the vote of confidence
Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has won a confidence vote in his leadership of the ruling Fianna Fail party.
The vote was held following a debate among Fianna Fail members of parliament on Tuesday evening.
Mr Cowen's leadership has been opposed by Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, who has left the government following the ballot.
The Taoiseach has been under pressure because of falling opinion poll ratings in the wake of the EU and IMF bail out.
Speaking to RTE after the vote, Mr Cowen said he was very pleased that his desire to continue in his post had been vindicated by the secret ballot.
He has been subject to press scrutiny following revelations about contacts with former head of Anglo Irish Bank Sean Fitzpatrick shortly before he announced a bank guarantee in 2008.
He made a statement on the issue to the Dail last week, stressing that he had done nothing wrong.
He later pledged to consult with party colleagues about his future for 48 hours, a process that culminated on Sunday evening when he told a press conference he wished to lead the party into a general election.
Disappointment
The voting figures for the ballot have not been released but Mr Cowen needed to secure at least 36 of the 71 votes to win.
His position is now likely to be secure until a spring election.
"The party is very determined to face the electoral contest, very proud that we have done what is necessary for the country," Mr Cowen said.
He added that he would now accept Mr Martin's decision to resign but said that the relationship between them would remain strong.
Mr Martin said he was disappointed with the outcome but that he was now looking forward to a vigorous general election campaign.
He added: "The debate is over. I abide by the outcome of that and I am now prepared to work alongside my party colleagues."
Fianna Fail's opinion poll ratings have fallen to 14% after the coalition government was forced to accept the bailout at the end of last year.
Do you think Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen can win the confidence vote? Does Fianna Fail need a new leader? Is a secret ballot the answer?
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Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.Mr Martin spoke to reporters after the prime minister won the vote of confidence
Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has won a confidence vote in his leadership of the ruling Fianna Fail party.
The vote was held following a debate among Fianna Fail members of parliament on Tuesday evening.
Mr Cowen's leadership has been opposed by Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, who has left the government following the ballot.
The Taoiseach has been under pressure because of falling opinion poll ratings in the wake of the EU and IMF bail out.
Speaking to RTE after the vote, Mr Cowen said he was very pleased that his desire to continue in his post had been vindicated by the secret ballot.
He has been subject to press scrutiny following revelations about contacts with former head of Anglo Irish Bank Sean Fitzpatrick shortly before he announced a bank guarantee in 2008.
He made a statement on the issue to the Dail last week, stressing that he had done nothing wrong.
He later pledged to consult with party colleagues about his future for 48 hours, a process that culminated on Sunday evening when he told a press conference he wished to lead the party into a general election.
Disappointment
The voting figures for the ballot have not been released but Mr Cowen needed to secure at least 36 of the 71 votes to win.
His position is now likely to be secure until a spring election.
"The party is very determined to face the electoral contest, very proud that we have done what is necessary for the country," Mr Cowen said.
He added that he would now accept Mr Martin's decision to resign but said that the relationship between them would remain strong.
Mr Martin said he was disappointed with the outcome but that he was now looking forward to a vigorous general election campaign.
He added: "The debate is over. I abide by the outcome of that and I am now prepared to work alongside my party colleagues."
Fianna Fail's opinion poll ratings have fallen to 14% after the coalition government was forced to accept the bailout at the end of last year.
Do you think Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen can win the confidence vote? Does Fianna Fail need a new leader? Is a secret ballot the answer?
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