Cowen loses voters’ respect and his first year as leader may be his last

Every forecast he and the Government have made over the past three years has been laughably wrong. The forecasts of the live register of unemployed and tax revenues have been so erroneous that ordinary people just don’t believe the Government has a proper grip on the deteriorating economic situation

ONE year ago, expectations for Brian Cowen, as leader of Fianna Fáil and the country, were immense.

He had umpteen years of ministerial experience. His qualities included intelligence and a fine legal mind. He was articulate, personable and self-assured. Those who knew him best, the people of Laois/Offaly, gave him the highest personal vote anywhere in the last election.