Cowen defends his stewardship of party at Arbour Hill commemoration

TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen defended his stewardship of the economy at the annual Fianna Fáil commemoration of the 1916 Rising at Arbour Hill cemetery yesterday, saying history will show that Ireland was among the first countries to recognise the scale of the current crisis “and to put in place a comprehensive framework for recovery”.

Making his first Arbour Hill oration as party leader, Mr Cowen urged Irish people not let these tougher times “sap their spirits” and vowed that “the present battle for Ireland’s economic stability and security will be won”.

“Republicanism at its core means the interests of the nation must take precedence over everything else. As Taoiseach, it is my duty to protect this country’s economic stability and lead us out of this crisis.”

Speaking to a crowd of about 500 party members and representatives including former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne, Mr Cowen strongly defended the financial measures announced in the emergency Budget, saying the Government had been forced to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of many people but he said they were “the correct decisions”.

He said history had taught us recessions that are associated with a financial crisis tend to be deeper and longer lasting, but “the path to recovery lies in prompt, speedy, consistent and forceful policy action by Government”.

Echoing sentiments he made in a speech to a Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner in February, Mr Cowen exhorted Irish people to show solidarity in the face of the economic challenges and to take inspiration from previous generations who had fought through adversity.

“In every generation, the Irish people have faced challenges. We should in our present circumstances take inspiration from those we honour here today and recognise we are a resilient people who have faced even greater adversity before.

“This global economic crisis is but the latest challenge. We have come through in the past because of the ingenuity, steadfastness and courage of our people. I believe that this generation too will meet the test.”

Mr Cowen said: “We cannot let our confidence be drained nor can we lose the will to compete and manage our way through to the better days ahead.

“We must believe in ourselves and our ability to thrive as a people as so many in past generations did before us.”

The Government’s budgetary measures were tantamount “to asking those who had jobs to contribute a little more to help the many who have become recently unemployed as a result of the recession”.

The anniversary of the Rising was a “timely reminder of the sacrifices others have made in the past for their fellow Irishmen and women”.

“We should be prepared to look to the wider common good during this difficult time for the country” Mr Cowen said.

The greatest achievement of recent times had been the peace process and the realisation of “the vast potential” of the Belfast Agreement.

He paid tribute to his predecessor Bertie Ahern, who he said would “forever be associated with that great national work” and have his party’s “enduring respect”.

Referring to recent attacks in the North by dissident republicans, Mr Cowen said that “those who turn to violence will be rejected and they will face the full force of the law”.

He said the agreement had forged friendships based on respect and trust, “which spring from the democratic will of the Irish people that will sustain us in maintaining the peace and confronting those who would seek to violently disrupt the progress that has been made”.

“To those who use violence to attack the democratic institutions established by the people in 1998, we have a simple message – the democratic will of the Irish people must be respected,” Mr Cowen said.

Taoiseach’s full speech can be found on www.irishtimes.com