A “state of the nation” address by the Taoiseach on the current economic downturn would only remind people of the infamous television address made by the late Charles Haughey in the 1970s, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said today.
Upon assuming the mantle of taoiseach in December 1979, Mr Haughey made a television address to the nation, encouraging people to tighten their belts but then proceeded to do the opposite with both the public finances and his personal spending habits.
At a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting yesterday, several TDs and senators urged Mr Cowen to address the public directly on the economic difficulties facing the State.
However, speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Gormley, whose Green Party is in Government with Fianna Fáil, appeared to signal he was against such a move, saying "a state of the nation address has echoes of Charles J Haughey".
Mr Gormley said he was mindful of public anxiety concerning the economy but insisted Government and the social partners were engaged in a process to take corrective measures.
He said: “The situation will be dealt with. There will be €2 billion in cuts. The political class will lead and we will have to take cuts ourselves.”
Mr Cowen is due to address the Dáil tomorrow and on Thursday during a debate on the economy. Dáil business resumes this afternoon after the Christmas break.
