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.

Employers’ group, IBEC, said it was right the Government should be supported by the public in taking difficult decisions.

“Not all of the Government’s decisions in the recent budget have been as well thought-out as they might have been,” said IBEC director-general Turlough O’Sullivan. “However, at a time of crisis it behoves all of us to support the general thrust of the budget strategy.”