Cowen hits out at voter complacency as FF meets

FINANCE Minister Brian Cowen last night accused voters of complacency as Fianna Fáil put the economy centre stage in a bid to claw back support ahead of the looming general election.

As the party’s parliamentary think-in opened in Westport, Mr Cowen rubbished the Rainbow alternative for promising “sweet shop economics”, as he warned of taking Ireland’s prosperity for granted.

“There is unfortunately a national complacency, or an assumption that in fact we have drawn out a patent on economic success. That, regardless of who is in power or what policies they pursue, for some reason this economy will continue to charge ahead.”

In a clear signal that the Government plans to anchor its re-election hopes on talking-up the economy and running a “don’t let the Rainbow wreck-it” campaign, Mr Cowen insisted Fine Gael and Labour lacked substance. “We don’t have an alternative being put forward by the other side. All we have is a lot of sweetness and apple pie,” the minister remarked.

He accused Fine Gael and Labour of planning to run a “sweet shop economy” where they would promise to throw candy to everyone. Mr Cowen again denied he would try to “buy” the next election with a giveaway Budget, despite the multi-billion euro exchequer surplices at his disposal. He dismissed the poor poll ratings which have dogged Fianna Fáil and insisted the party would recover in time for the General Election expected next May or June.

Pre-election jitters among backbench TD’s provoked a mini-rebellion in the summer as the leadership was forced to arrange policy sessions to allay concern of TDs in vulnerable constituencies that grass roots issues were being ignored.

The outcome of those meetings will be debated at the gathering which will also hear from energy expert Dr Dieter Helm. A controversial choice as key-note speaker, the Oxford academic has advised British Prime Minister Tony Blair on his plans to expand Britain’s nuclear power plant network. The Government will deliver it’s own green paper on energy before Christmas. Garda reform will be addressed by Conor Brady of the Garda Ombudsman’s Commission and Bank of Ireland chief economist Dan McLoughlin will also speak.

Fianna Fáil dismissed as a gimmick a meeting between Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and his Fine Gael counterpart Enda Kenny in Mullingar tomorrow to launch a health initiative, which is intended to steal the limelight from the two-day Westport meeting.