Kenny offers Cowen help in restoring State's image

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny told an audience in New York last night that he would meet Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the coming days to discuss ways to buttress Ireland’s global reputation.

Mr Kenny said he had sought the meeting in a letter to Mr Cowen on Monday.

No firm date has been set for the meeting but it is expected to take place early next week. It will be separate from any discussions about how a multiparty consensus might be reached on the four-year budgetary plan.

Speaking at an Ireland Chamber of Commerce USA gala dinner, Mr Kenny said he was “very concerned about the continuing negative portrayal of Ireland in some sections of the international press”.

“I am prepared to use my influence in Europe and elsewhere to reaffirm that Ireland will tackle its economic problems and fulfil our obligations as a member of the Euro currency area,” he said.

Mr Kenny said Mr Cowen had “responded positively” to his proposal that they meet to discuss these matters. Mr Kenny also reaffirmed during his speech that any government led by Fine Gael would not increase the State’s 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate.

His commitment came against the backdrop of comments earlier this month by European Union monetary affairs commissioner Olli Rehn, who said that it was “a fact of life that, after what has happened, Ireland will not continue as a low-tax country”.

Mr Kenny’s speech to the chamber, a business networking organisation, was his first major engagement during a two-day trip to New York where he has several engagements.

Today, he is expected to meet immigration reform advocates as well as IDA Ireland representatives.

He will also address the Ireland Funds’ leadership forum.

In last night’s speech at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel, Mr Kenny sought to position Fine Gael as the party best placed to renew and rebuild Ireland.

“The Celtic Tiger may be dead and gone but we do not want to mourn it. We want to embrace instead the Celtic Spirit,” he said.

Mr Kenny also delivered a mild repudiation of the ethos that gripped the State during the boom years. He said that “a drive to accumulate” the trappings of material success had sometimes taken precedence over all else.

“Accumulation will never be an answer. It will never be fully satisfying,” he said. “Satisfaction can only come from contributing.”