The following is a timeline of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's political career.
• Born January 10th, 1960 in Clara, Co Offaly
• Elected to the Dáil in June 1984 at the age of 24, one of the youngest ever TDs, when he won the Laois-Offaly by-election caused by the death of his father Bernard Cowen.
• Appointed to his first Cabinet post as Minister for Labour in February 1992.
• Served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from January 1993 to December 1994; as Minister for Health and Children from 1997 to January 2000; and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from January 2000 to 2004.
• Became opposition spokesperson for Agriculture from December 1994 to March 1997 and for Health from 31 January 1997 to June 1997.
• Appointed Minister for Finance in 2004.
• Appointed Tánaiste in June 2007.
• Remains fiercely loyal to Bertie Ahern over the Mahon tribunal, informing the Dáil in February 2008 that Mr Ahern 'enjoyed the confidence of the Fianna Fáil party' and that his leadership ‘was not in question’.
• Bertie Ahern announces his resignation on April 2nd, 2008. Mr Cowen is widely tipped as his successor
• Brian Cowen formally elected to replace Bertie Ahern at a parliamentary party meeting on April 9th, 2008. He will become Taoiseach on May 7th.
• Brian Cowen elected as Taoiseach in Dáil by 88 votes to 76.