Cowen: Cutbacks needed to protect our sovereignty

IRELAND’S hard-won sovereignty now depends on the country taking the necessary tough decisions to get through the economic crisis, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said.

Continuing his Government’s PR offensive for a hairshirt December budget, Mr Cowen said a country would be “at the mercy of its creditors” if it became unsustainably indebted. He dropped a broad hint that public service pay cuts would be imposed, saying it would be unfair if all the necessary savings were made simply by axing services.

“All areas of public expenditure have to be looked at. Otherwise those who depend on public services would be asked to take too large a burden of the adjustment that is necessary,” Mr Cowen said. He also made clear he expected all the social partners – not just the unions – to play their part.

“No economic or social interest can be beyond the scope of the painful adjustments which are now required,” he declared at the annual Fianna Fáil Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare.

“Let there be no mistake; our hard-won sovereignty now depends on our having the wisdom and courage to take the necessary decisions which will secure the financial stability of our State and the economic well-being of our people,” he said.

The warning echoed comments made by Health Minister Mary Harney on Friday, when she said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would end up taking the tough decisions for Ireland if the Government failed in its duty to do so. Previously, the Cabinet had been anxious to avoid references to the IMF or suggestions the country’s independence was at risk. But the stark warnings are now being made because the Cabinet wants to “soften up” people for the December 9 budget, when €4 billion of cuts and new taxes are to be announced.

Mr Cowen also urged the media and the Opposition to meet their responsibilities. He said in addition to criticising what they saw to be wrong, the media had a responsibility “inform and support” necessary action. Similarly, the Opposition had a responsibility to contribute to “fair and balanced debate” and rise above “the easy route of partisan advantage”.

Mr Cowen said the Government would protect the vulnerable in society “as much as possible” in the budget and he reiterated the Cabinet would lead by example in taking pay cuts but refused to indicate the size of the cuts.