Fitzgerald: 'Economic downturn worst since 1929'

The global economic downturn is the worst financial crisis since the 1929 Wall Street Crash, former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald claimed today.

The ex-Fine Gael leader, who served in office during the 1980s recession, said the Government faced tough decisions but warned the less-well off should not suffer the full brunt of any cut-backs.