In the Eye of the Storm

Find out what Brian Cowen thinks is in store for Ireland in light of the global financial crisis and the government's unpopular decisions on medical cards and education cuts.

Jason O'Toole, 06 Nov 2008

There were great celebrations when you were elected as Fianna Fail party leader, and therefore as Taoiseach. But there’s no disputing that your six months in office have been very traumatic.

You play the ball as it presents itself, as they say. There’s a new ballgame in town and that is based on the fact that there’s been the biggest crisis in financial markets in over 80 years. There’s a recession in the world economy that’s been the biggest we’ve seen in 25 years. We don’t know how deep it’s going to go or for how long it’s going to last. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there. Obviously, the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty was a setback for the government. And obviously the budgetary controversy. We just have to deal with these issues and continue to put our message out to the people about what the government is trying to achieve.

Has the job been more difficult than you’d envisaged?

No. It’s as difficult as I thought it would be. Life throws its challenges at you – and certainly we are facing challenging times. My colleagues and I are committed to trying to get this right as quickly as possible, to do this as competently and honestly and conscientiously as we can. It’s not how many times you are down, it’s how quickly you get up in life that defines a person.

Do you think you became Taoiseach at the wrong time?

No. You become Taoiseach on the basis of other events. There’s never a wrong time to be Taoiseach. It’s a great privilege to be Taoiseach – for however long. You don’t pick your time to be Taoiseach.

NEXT ISSUE: The Lisbon Treaty; Enda Kenny; the crisis in the health system; political heroes; the so called ‘Dail Bar Lobby’ – and young people and alcohol…

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