Cowen calls for optimism

JASON MICHAEL

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has called for more optimism and warned against people talking the country down during the economic recesssion.

Speaking last night at the Irish Exporters' Association annual awards in Dublin, Mr Cowen said optimism and potential are  words "we need to hear more of".

"We live in a competitive global environment. We should not let others talk us down, nor should we do it ourselves. We should not forget that our Irishness gives us a distinct selling point in the world today," the Taoiseach told the audience.

Mr Cowen said the Government would set up a Global Irish Network in the wake of the Global Economic Forum at Farmleigh last September. "This network will be the first step towards refocusing and refining our brand as we seek to further develop Ireland’s footprint in the world market."

He also warned decisive action action in the upcoming Budget is necessary.

"We have to ensure that Ireland is in the right place to take full advantage of the recovery when it comes. If we make the correct policy choices now, we can emerge from recession, despite its scale and severity," he said.

At a trade union conference two years ago, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern infamously wondered aloud as to why people who criticised the economy did not “commit suicide”.