Taoiseach insists he is not out of touch

BRIAN COWEN last night insisted he was not out of touch with the pain caused by the economic crash as he vowed to defy the polls and escape an election rout.

Side-stepping questions on whether he feared a poor showing would trigger a challenge to his leadership, the Taoiseach urged voters to focus on EU issues only as he launched Fianna Fáil’s Euro campaign.

Mr Cowen said he was “acutely” aware of the scale of the economic downturn and the impact it was having on families after criticism from opponents that he was oblivious to the grassroots effects of his harsh fiscal policies. “I am acutely aware of the legitimate concerns that people have. As a public representative, apart from being Taoiseach, in communities that I am engaged, I am aware of these things.

“One could not but be aware living in this country about the real challenges that we face and the magnitude of those challenges.

“There are many people in this country who recognise the fact that we are taking the necessary decisions to get recovery under way,” he said, adding he stood over all the economic decisions he had taken.

Mr Cowen laid into Fine Gael for “double standards” in attacking him in the good times for not spending enough, while criticising him now for not cutting enough. Mr Cowen avoided directly answering whether a poll drubbing could lead to a heave against him within Fianna Fáil. “We don’t anticipate that we are not going to do a good job in the elections,” he said.

However, the Taoiseach ruled out a TV debate between the party leaders which had been demanded by Labour’s Eamon Gilmore. Under the campaign slogan, “Europe: We are Better Working together”, he pledged Fianna Fáil MEPs would work “tirelessly” to renew the CAP as a vital element in supporting farm families and the rural economy, and to promote institutional reform.

Flanked by the party’s eight Euro candidates, the Taoiseach insisted the party would fight hard for every seat in the EU, local and double Dáil by-election showdown next month.

Fianna Fáil faces an uphill struggle to hold onto to its four Euro seats with tough battles looming in the north-west and Dublin.

“In advance of June 5, I ask the people to think long and hard about what is in this country’s long-term best interests,” said Mr Cowen.

“In voting for a Fianna Fáil candidate, they are guaranteed a strong team who will fight to return Ireland and Europe to growth, job creation and prosperity.”