Gilmore to raise harm to Ireland's reputation

TÁNAISTE AND Minister for Foreign Affairs Éamon Gilmore will address the “damage to Ireland’s economic reputation in Britain caused by the financial crisis” at meetings with British counterparts in London today.

On the agenda for Mr Gilmore’s separate meetings with Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg and British foreign secretary William Hague are Ireland’s prospects of economic recovery and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.

Mr Gilmore also said he would highlight “the depth and mutual importance of the British-Irish economic relationship” at briefings with development agencies with a substantial presence in Britain, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland.

Speaking to The Irish Times ahead of his departure for London, Mr Gilmore said the aim of the trip was part of the Government’s ongoing attempts at “restoring the country’s reputation”. He said he rejected Opposition criticism that Government Ministers continually pointed to the record of the previous administration when questioned about current policies.

Mr Gilmore insisted this reflected people’s views. “That’s what we’re hearing. That’s what people tell us. People do understand we’ve inherited a huge mess,” he said. “It’s a set of circumstances no incoming government has ever had to face. It’s going to take time but, day by day, week by week, we’re going to work our way out of it and bring about recovery,” he said.

While the terms of the EU-IMF agreement were “very restrictive”, the Government was “talking to the troika trying to reconcile that agreement with programme for government”. There had been some success and work was under way in getting the interest rate down, he added.

When the budget was drawn up, Labour would remain committed to the “principle of fairness” despite economic pressures.

Mr Gilmore said his relationship with Taoiseach Enda Kenny was excellent and close. The pair consulted each other regularly, “in each other’s offices, on the corridors and on the phone”, he said.

“It’s a very practical, very good, harmonious working relationship. I’m very happy with it.”

He said he agreed with Mr Kenny that the current Government positions should be reshuffled in 2½ years.

Given that Labour TDs had been returned in record numbers at the general election, he said it was important every member of the parliamentary party had an active role in the development of policy and its communication. “It’s something we are conscious of. It’s important we get it right at the beginning.” He said Oireachtas committees would soon be fewer, better-resourced and with a much bigger workload.

He would not be drawn on his input into discussions ahead of the Taoiseach’s selection of his 11 nominees to the Seanad, aside from confirming he had discussed the issue with Mr Kenny and would be suggesting some potential Senators. Mr Gilmore will also meet Ed Miliband for the first time since his election as the leader of the British Labour Party and meet emigrants at the London Irish Centre in Camden.