Cowen refuses to say sorry

SORRY is still the hardest word for Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who refused to apologise to taxpayers for pouring billions of euros of their money into failing banks on Bailout Tuesday.

Just before details of the historic bail-out were revealed to the Dáil, the Opposition demanded the Taoiseach take responsibility and “say sorry to the Irish people” for getting them into this mess.

But Mr Cowen said the banking crisis was not unique to Ireland and that “the total motivation for the Government at all times was to ensure a viable banking system that was fit for purpose” to rescue the economy and save jobs.