FAILURE HAS been the hallmark of Brian Cowen's period in office so far, Opposition leader, Enda Kenny, told the Humbert Summer School in Ballina, Co Mayo, yesterday.
The newly-elected Taoiseach had so far failed on three fronts: the Lisbon Treaty, the national pay talks and public sector reform.
"The Government clearly does not know know where it wants to go and has demonstrated neither clear direction nor urgency, except of course when it comes to ensuring additional creature comforts for Ministers," the Fine Gael leader said.
Claiming Mr Cowen's Government was "disconnected" and had no vision for Ireland's future direction, Mr Kenny continued: "You cannot call yourself a leader without the capacity to give that pivotal direction and articulate the kind of Ireland you want."
For his part, Mr Kenny said he wanted an Ireland whose healthcare system would be "a case-study in excellence" and a country that was "free of red tape, bureaucracy, duplication and intrusive pointless regulation".
"I want an Ireland where people in responsible positions are fired or demoted when they fail to serve the citizen," he said.
This would be an Ireland "that cares for the people on the edges, not an Ireland with a harsh sense of entitlement, whose attitude is best summed up by the cosmetics slogan, 'Because I'm worth it'."
He wanted an Ireland "where nobody feels abandoned and lost, where diversity is a strength, where children are protected, where we dream dreams and have the confidence and competence to turn those dreams into shining realities".
Also addressing the Humbert School, Labour's deputy leader, Joan Burton, said Mr Cowen had gone from "hero to zero" since becoming Taoiseach.
"His Government is in disarray, shocked to the core by the changing economic fortunes of the country. He has lost a crucial referendum and has to brace himself for an almost certain defeat in the Dublin South by-election."
Comparing Mr Cowen to the boxer portrayed in films by Sylvester Stallone, Ms Burton said: "The Taoiseach with the reputation of a bruiser now looks more bruised and beaten than 'Rocky'.
"Some of those who were sure he had the personal qualities needed for the job now say the exact opposite. They mumble now that the poor soul is the victim of events beyond his control."
Much of the present crisis was of the Taoiseach's own making: "He put party before country at a critical time and that is simply unforgivable for any Taoiseach."
Mayo Fianna Fail TD Dara Calleary said Brian Cowen would not be measured on his first 100 days as Taoiseach because problems could not be dealt with at the drop of a hat.
"He will be measured on how he responds to them and I have no doubt that he will step up to the challenges."
He added: "Measures are already under way to reduce Government expenditure in 2008, and expenditure in 2009 will have to reflect falling tax revenues and also the challenges being presented to Government, to business, and to people generally."
On the Lisbon referendum he said: "We need a robust debate across the country about our place in Europe, our expectations of Europe and what we are prepared to offer in return for our membership of the EU.
"It's a debate that shouldn't be rushed by any means but equally we must be aware of the fact that the EU is weaker without Lisbon being implemented."
