Cowen expresses admiration for Brown

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen expressed his admiration for Gordon Brown and praised his contribution to the peace process in the North.

However, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, while similarly praising Mr Brown’s work in the North, struck a somewhat discordant note by criticising some of the outgoing prime minister’s failures.

Mr Cowen said he had enjoyed a very good working relationship with Mr Brown, and wished him well. “I think he has been a good man to deal with from an Irish Government point of view in terms of Northern Ireland.

“He’s shown a lot of commitment to that issue,” Mr Cowen told Today FM’s The Last Word.

He declined to express an opinion on who would now succeed Mr Brown as prime minister.

Mr Cowen laughed off any suggestions his own leadership would end in the same way as Mr Brown’s, given other similarities in their careers. Both men were former finance ministers who succeeded long-serving prime ministers, only to struggle thereafter.

Fine Gael leader Mr Kenny referred to Mr Brown’s stint as chancellor, and said the British people had now passed their verdict on that.

“Ultimately, Gordon Brown could not escape his legacy as chancellor of the exchequer before he became prime minister,” Mr Kenny said. “The public passed their verdict both on him and his stewardship of the economy last week. I believe a politician should trust his instincts and, in relation to Gordon Brown, his initial instinct to hold an election shortly after becoming prime minister was probably the correct one. He didn’t trust his instincts then and I believe paid the price for this last week.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Brown had been a “successful” chancellor as well as a “good friend” of Ireland.

“Gordon was also a good friend of the Irish Labour Party and our two parties enjoyed a friendly relationship under his leadership.”