TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has delivered a second major speech defending his record and that of his Government during the economic crisis.
Mr Cowen used the platform of the Fianna Fáil regional conference in Athlone this weekend to launch a detailed justification of his party’s policies on job creation.
In a speech running to over 7,000 words, he rebutted Opposition claims that the Government’s sole preoccupation has been banking, to the detriment of job creation.
He outlined 10 headings under which he claimed the Governments was creating jobs or the right conditions to boost employment.
He identified potential for almost 450,000 new jobs this decade in areas as diverse as innovation, green enterprise, energy infrastructure, strategic infrastructure, and small business.
It was the second speech of over 7,000 words made by the Taoiseach in recent weeks following a major speech in Dublin where he justified his actions during his time as minister for finance and claimed they were not contributory factors to the property bubble or to bank excesses.
During his speech this weekend Mr Cowen singled out the legal profession for criticism, warning that the Government would intervene if lawyers did not lower their costs.
He said the legal profession should immediately, of its own volition, benchmark fees charged in Ireland against those in other jurisdictions. “The Government will be exploring all options to drive down costs in this area.”
He was also highly critical of banks, and warned that they must play their part. “Our position is simple. If the banks are not working for small business, then it is our responsibility as a Government to make sure that they do.”
The speech came as the latest opinion poll showed a slight recovery for Fianna Fáil and drops in support for its two main rivals Fine Gael and Labour.
A Red C poll for the Sunday Business Postshows support for Fine Gael at 30 per cent (down 3 points); Fianna Fáil at 24 per cent (up 1 point); and Labour at 22 per cent (down 2 points).
A Labour spokesman said last night that the eight-point spread between the three parties was the lowest recorded in an opinion poll and confirmed the party’s view that the next election would be a three-horse race.
In his speech Mr Cowen described unemployment as the “greatest tragedy” of the recession, but disputed Opposition claims the Government was indifferent to the plight of the unemployed. He identified 10 headings; three creating the conditions for unemployment and seven identifying sectors in which jobs would be created.
The three conditions were increased confidence, a better flow of credit, and a reduction of costs.
The seven areas for job creation were the infrastructure and the National Development Plan, the innovation strategy, foreign direct investment, small business, green enterprise, agrifood, and tourism.
Mr Cowen said as long as he remained Taoiseach the 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate would not be increased. He also announced that the Government would shortly introduce a scheme foregoing the PRSI levy to help recruit people who have been unemployed.
He said the State would adjust its procurement policies to buy goods and services from innovative Irish companies to encourage their development.
Last night Fine Gael’s enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar said action was needed from Government and not speeches.
“Ireland needs action on restoring competitiveness, increasing investment and providing essential training, work placements and education. No amount of speeches from the Taoiseach will ever make up for this Government’s lack of action.”