Ireland's Brian Cowen announced on Sunday evening that he would remain as leader of the country's ruling party Fianna Fail and stay in post as Irish prime minister.

Cowen made this announcement at a press briefing on whether he intended to stay on as leader of the ruling party.

The Irish prime minister completed a two-day process of consulting party colleagues to assess if he has enough backing to remain at the helm, according to local media reports.

At the press briefing, Cowen said it was in the best interests of the country and the party for him to remain at the helm.

"As Taoiseach (prime minister), my total focus must remain with discharging my duties to the people. For Fianna Fail, the party is important but the interests of the country are paramount," he said.

"I made no indication of resigning at any time as leader of the party," he added.

He also announced a motion of confidence in him as leader of the ruling party would be held at this coming Tuesday's Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting.

On Wednesday, Cowen was questioned in Dail, the country's parliament lower house, on his contacts with disgraced Anglo Irish Bank boss Sean FitzPatrick. Under pressure, he mentioned the names of two other business chiefs who joined him and FitzPatrick for a post-golf match dinner in the Druids Glen Golf Course, over 30 km south of Dublin.

At present, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin are likely contenders if Cowen does step down.

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