Cowen to be elected as new Taoiseach in Dáil

Brian Cowen is set to be elected as the new Taoiseach in the Dáil this afternoon following Bertie Ahern's formal resignation from the job yesterday.Mr Cowen has already been selected unopposed as the new Fianna Fáil leader and will travel to Aras an Uachtarain today to pick up his seal of office once he is voted in as Taoiseach.The Laois-Offaly TD is expected to make a number of changes to his cabinet once he takes up his new job.Yesterday, Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister Seamus Brennan resigned from his position on health grounds, leaving one vacancy for Mr Cowen to fill.The new Taoiseach will also have to find someone to fill his current jobs as Tánaiste and Finance Minister, with Dermot Ahern regarded as the prime candidate for the latter position.Elsewhere, Mary Coughlan is also likely to be promoted, but Mary Harney is likely to remain in health, despite calls for her to be removed.The two Green Party ministers are also expected to remain in their current posts.