Lenihan: Too early to talk about recovery

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has bluntly admitted it is “too early” to be talking about economic recovery.

That contrasts starkly with the pre-election speech delivered by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in which he predicted economic growth could resume here next year.

In that speech in Slane on May 21, Mr Cowen said: “The ESRI and other commentators are now predicting that the decisions taken by the Government, allied with the flexibility of our economy and our people in reacting to the crisis, means that we are positioned to return to growth, even rapid growth, as the world economy turns, as early as next year.”