Irish Parliament to Dissolve

After accepting an international bailout and passing an austerity package, it seems the current Irish parliament has run its course. Aides to Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced that parliament will be dissolved on Tuesday ahead of a general election, most likely on February 25. Cowen passed a finance bill Friday after accepting an amendment imposing a 90 percent tax on bonuses paid to the employees of banks receiving government aid. The Fianna Fail party, which replaced Cowen as its leader Wednesday with former foreign minister Michael Martin, is due for a reckoning: Polls show it with 20 percent support, down from 42 percent in 2007.