New Irish PM Cowen's use of "F" word draws fire

DUBLIN (Reuters) - New Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen's use of an expletive after a stormy parliamentary session has drawn protests raising questions over his style of leadership just weeks after he was appointed as premier.

Cowen, who took over as prime minister earlier this month, had ended a heated question time session with opposition parties on Wednesday when a microphone in the lower Dail chamber picked up a conversation with deputy prime minister Mary Coughlan.

"Ring those people, get a handle on them ... We've seen all those f******," Cowen was heard saying, though it was not clear who he was referring to.

Cowen, known for his gruff public persona as well as sharp intellect, apologised for the remark.

"This was a casual exchange between working colleagues inadvertently and partially picked up by the Dail microphone," his office said in a statement.

"The Taoiseach (prime minister) regrets any offence caused by the word complained of."

Fine Gael, headed by Enda Kenny, accused Cowen of referring to the opposition party, something he denied.

"Mr Kenny is right when he says that it is unbecoming for a prime minister to use bad language, especially during a sitting of parliament," the Irish Independent wrote in an editorial. "The Taoiseach might be well advised not to let it happen again."

But not everyone thought it would necessarily damage Cowen's reputation, at least for now.