No return to dark days of ’80s, vows Taoiseach

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has assured the public that the country is not “returning to the dark days of the 1980s”, despite concerns raised by the opposition parties about rising unemployment and other problems facing the economy.

During Leaders’ Questions yesterday, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the Government is “in denial” that “the country is heading for a recession”.

Mr Cowen said the Government is “well aware of the challenges” but the situation is not comparable to the 1980s.