Dáil recession debate - Cowen loses the plot

Angry scenes seem standard in the Dáil these days, but this is no time for politics as usual. The Taoiseach stressed as much in arguing that these are unprecedented times. All segments of society must play their part, and that includes both government and opposition.

The opposition parties were understandably critical at being expected to debate the crisis without knowing what the Government has been discussing with the social partners. At times it has seemed recently that members of the Government have not been very sure about what they were doing themselves, and this has led to a series of U-turns.

The last major recession was overcome with the help of the Tallaght Strategy. There is recognition throughout society that the current recession could be much worse, because it is global in scope.

The Taoiseach stressed that “the Government is determined to pull everyone behind this national effort,” but yesterday he was expressing open contempt at the behaviour of the opposition, which was calling for information about plans to tackle the crisis.

“As long as I am running this government,” the Taoiseach told the Dáil, “I will run the government as I see fit, as I believe, based on my philosophy.”

The argument had nothing to do with political philosophy. This was not way to enlist the broad support that Mr Cowen recognises as necessary to tackle this unprecedented economic crisis.