The Taoiseach of Ireland is Brian Cowen. The Taoiseach is the head of the Government and coordinates the work of the Ministers and their Departments of State. The Taoiseach advises and guides the other members of the Government when faced particularly with issues requiring the successful working of the Government as a collective authority responsible to Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach will set broad Government policy.

The Taoiseach keeps the President informed on domestic and international policy.

The Taoiseach has certain statutory responsibilities for the reform of the law, for official statistics and for the administration of public services which are not the responsibility of any other member of the Government.

If the Taoiseach feels that an issue is of great importance he/she can bring responsibility for the project within the control of the Department of the Taoiseach. For example, the Taoiseach co-ordinates the contribution to government policy on Northern Ireland and on Irelands relations to the European Union; The Department of the Taoiseach also has overall responsibility for the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum, the Information Society Commission, the Government Press Service, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance and the coordination of relations with the social partners under the partnership agreements.

Brian Cowen was made  Taoiseach on the 7th May 2008. He was appointed as Tánaiste and re-appointed as Minister for Finance on 14^th June, 2007 having first been appointed Minister for Finance in September 2004.  He has served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from January 2000 to September 2004; Minister for Health and Children from June 1997 to January 2000; Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from January 1993 to December 1994; Minister for Labour from February 1992 to January 1993.  He was first elected to the Dail in a by-election in June 1984 caused by the death of his father, Bernard Cowen.  That was the first time he had contested an election for public office.

Party front bench spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and Forestry December 1994 to March 1997 and on Health from March 1997 to June 1997.

The Taoiseach nominates the Tánaiste and the other members of the Government for the approval of the Dáil and assigns the particular Departments to the Ministers on their appointment by the President. The Taoiseach also nominates the Attorney General for appointment by the President. The Taoiseach has the power to advise the President to accept the resignation of Ministers.