Brian Cowen: Work together to beat downturn

EVERY citizen must pull together and work harder to help Ireland beat the economic downturn, the Taoiseach said yesterday.

Brian Cowen told an international business summit in Dublin that everybody must play a part to restore confidence in the economy. It is important to tell the world that Ireland is still open for business despite a 30% slide in tax revenue and the collapse of the property market, he said.

Mr Cowen also said budgetary cutbacks were absolutely necessary because future generations will be saddled with repayments on high borrowings.