Cowen admits need for more straight talking

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has accepted criticism that he is long winded and needs to simplify his speech.

He said it was something he knew had to change and explained his verbose tendencies as a desire to put all his answers in context.

“I will have to change that [his use of jargon] by being even more frank than I usually am.

“When I am trying to convey something – this is the problem – when I am talking or when I am thinking, I like to give people the full context.

“But by the same token the message has to be simplified, not because people haven’t the discernment to understand it themselves, but just in terms of the message having an impact. I think it is also important not to patronise people,” he said.

Mr Cowen said he had to communicate his decisions better and try to bring people along as he sought to implement the Bord Snip Nua and Commission on Taxation reports.

The admission followed comments in Tullamore on Friday when he conceded the Government had to find simple language to sell the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) to the country.

But he said ultimately the decisions taken would be made by the Government and it was not his role toensure all parties agreed with it.

In the interview with the Sunday Independent he also addressed suggestions he is drinking too much and not sleeping enough.

“I relax now and again with friends. I try and do normal things that normal people do. It is overstated, this drinking thing,” he said.

Mr Cowen said the sleep apnoea, which had been keeping him awake at night, was resolved and denied he suffered from depression.

“I am fine. I am in good form. I am in good shape, obviously I could be in better shape. But I am in good form, I am in good health,” he said.

The Taoiseach said despite growing criticism of his leadership style, both from within and outside government, he was keen to remain in office.

“I have thought about my own style of leadership. We have to get out there more, me included. I have no problem with that.

“I am going to do that by being out there, meeting communities and getting on with the job I am doing,” Mr Cowen said.