TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has promised to be more cautious in his social life after the controversy that followed his interview on Morning Irelandearlier this week.
Speaking to reporters in Tullamore, Co Offaly, yesterday Mr Cowen said he would have to be more careful about his behaviour in future.
“I think such is the atmosphere of politics today perhaps, and the way people interpret things and how things can go off on a tangent very quickly, I would be a bit more cautious in terms of that aspect of how I conduct my social life,” he said.
Mr Cowen said those who had attended the social event in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway on Monday night “would accept on that particular occasion there was nothing unwholesome or raucous or untoward in relation to it. It was just a get together, a sing along with the gang in the conviviality of the company”.
The Taoiseach added: “I take responsibility for my end of things and I’ll make sure they don’t happen again”.
Mr Cowen said people in all walks of life worked very hard but there were occasions when people socialised and relaxed. “I just hope that they can see it in that light, not any more or any less than that,” he added.
When asked if he would still visit pubs in Tullamore he said: “It is important when you are Taoiseach that the dignity of the office has to be upheld at all times. I would hate for anyone to think that I wouldn’t take that aspect of my job seriously.”
Mr Cowen dismissed suggestions that his leadership of Fianna Fáil was under threat saying his TDs knew they had a job to do and would get on with it.
“We have a duty as a party that has a majority in the house with Green support and with the support of Independents to continue with that parliamentary party majority to implement those decisions,” he added.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin refused to be drawn on the question of Mr Cowen’s leadership but conceded that the affair had been damaging to the Government. “I think we have to really organise ourselves in a way that matches the mood of the people,” he said.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said the issue was now over, in his view.
“The matter has been dealt with comprehensively,” Mr Lenihan said. “I’ve an important job to get on with, the Government has important tasks to get on with, dealing with our current financial position and ensuring that confidence is maintained in this country.”
Green Party leader John Gormley said the controversy over the Taoiseach’s interview was distracting from the real issues facing the Government adding that he accepted the Taoiseach’s “fulsome” apology and it was time to move on.
“The Taoiseach had an off day, he acknowledged that, he apologised,” said Mr Gormley.