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