The battle for Ireland’s economic stability and security will be won, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Fianna Fáil supporters at the party’s 1916 Commemoration in Arbour Hill in Dublin today.
Mr Cowen said the country is facing up to its problems and “taking prompt, forceful and appropriate action as was evidenced by the recent supplementary Budget”.
He said the Government has had to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of people but that they are “the correct decisions”.
Mr Cowen said history has 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”.
He said he believed "history will show that we were among the first countries to recognise the scale of the crisis and to put in place a comprehensive framework for recovery.”
“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.”
“We should not let these tougher times sap our spirits. 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.”
He called on those present to support the Government in its “efforts to win through for a better era”.
Earlier, a Red C poll in this morning's Sunday Business Postshowed support for Fianna Fáil has dropped by 5 percentage points in a month to 23 per cent.
Support for Fine Gael increased by 2 percentage points to 33 per cent, Labour was up 2 to 19 per cent, the Green Party remains unchanged at 7 per cent, Sinn Féin is up 1 to 8 per cent while Independents remain unchanged at 10 per cent.
The poll will make stark reading for Mr Cowen ahead of the Local and European elections next June and follows on from the political controversy over former junior minister John McGuinness.
Yesterday Mr Cowen said he had full confidence in Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and refuted claims she had threatened to resign if he had not demoted Mr McGuinness.
Responding to comments made by Mr McGuinnness on Friday's Late Late Showon RTÉ, Mr Cowen said he was not aware of any discontent within Fianna Fáil and insisted the party was committed to getting on with the business of government.
He expressed full support for Ms Coughlan and roundly rejected suggestions that she had issued an ultimatum regarding Mr McGuinness’s position.
Mr McGuinness had been critical of the leadership being given to the country by Mr Cowen and Ms Coughlan in his interview on the RTE show.
He blamed Ms Coughlan for his demotion as Minister for State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, claiming she had threatened to resign if he remained in office.
He also questioned Ms Coughlan’s capabilities, insisting that she did not have the ability to run the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
In a statement issued earlier, Ms Coughlan said Mr McGuinness had never conveyed comments similiar to those made on the Late Late Showto her in person.
She said she understood the “upset that the deputy may be feeling having lost his position and certain things can be said in the heat of the moment”.