Brian Cowen, the former taoiseach, is seriously ill in hospital.
The Times understands that Mr Cowen, 59, is being treated for “a suspected bleed on the brain”. He was rushed to hospital on Thursday night, and was still there last night.
Speaking to reporters in Longford yesterday, Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, wished Mr Cowen a “speedy recovery”.
“I served in the Dail with Brian Cowen for a number of years and I really hope if he is unwell, as I hear he is, that he makes a speedy recovery,” the taoiseach told The Irish Independent.
Charlie Flanagan, the justice minister and TD for Laois-Offaly tweeted: “Very Sorry to hear former Dáil colleague Brian Cowen is unwell. I wish himself and his family well at