ECONOMY:COLLECTIVE GOVERNMENT decisions taken on economic policies during the Celtic Tiger years were done "in the best interest of the country" at the time, Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted yesterday in Co Offaly.
Speaking at the official opening of the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, on one of his last public engagements as Taoiseach, Mr Cowen admitted there were a number of issues arising from the independent review of the Department of Finance’s performance form 1999 to 2008.
“The decisions we took at the time were what we believed to be in the best interest of the country given the demands that there were at that time.”
While admitting he had “subscribed” to those collective decisions when in Cabinet, as Taoiseach, Mr Cowen said he had begun making adjustments.
“Life has changed, the world has changed, the whole picture has changed and my job, my role as Taoiseach in the Government I led, was to ensure the adjustment began.”
At the time the decisions were taken, the population was rising, optimism was growing and increased demands were being made on public services, added Mr Cowen. “With the benefit of hindsight now, were one to predict an outcome like the fall of Lehmans and the impact that had on the international financial system, of course one would take cognisance of that at the time.”
When asked why the Department of Finance review was not released before the elections, he replied, “it is a question of dealing with the general election and not allowing a manipulative approach be taken towards it . . .
“We are now hearing from the negotiations that Fine Gael and Labour are recognising that perhaps things are not as simple as people might suggest, so therefore I hope the adherence to the overall policy proposal that we have will be what will be seen in the coming months and years,” the Taoiseach told reporters.
He praised the heroics of the Irish cricket team and particularly its star batsman Kevin O’Brien. “I don’t claim to be a cricket aficionado but certainly to get the fastest hundred in World Cup history by the cricketer Mr O’Brien is a tremendous achievement.”