TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen said last night that his key focus in the coming weeks would be on the protection and creation of jobs.
He has asked all Government departments to draw up “comprehensive proposals for reducing business costs”, which are to be considered by the Government next month.
Speaking ahead of a meeting this afternoon in Government Buildings in Dublin with the heads of State agencies for economic development, training and education, Mr Cowen said: “We have to be confident, positive and determined.
“We have to believe in ourselves if we want other people to believe in us, to invest with us and to trade with us.
“We must use the talents and the imagination of our people to create opportunities, as well as to squarely tackle our current problems, that is the only way we can generate economic recovery and jobs for our people.
“This country needs to maintain its international reputation and to be trusted at home and abroad,” the Taoiseach said.
The meeting was convened by Mr Cowen and will be attended by the heads of 11 State agencies, including the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Fás, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia and the Higher Education Authority.
He said his purpose in calling the meeting was “to listen to their ideas, to offer them my full support in their crucial work and to ensure that there is the sharpest possible focus on job creation across all parts of Government”.
Also today, at lunchtime in Government Buildings, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice will launch “Investing in Global Relationships”, which is described as “a new action plan to develop Ireland as a world leader in the delivery of international education”.
“I know from my direct experience that our reputation is much higher abroad than many of us think.
"People around the world know we have problems but they also admire what we have achieved as a country," Mr Cowen told The Irish Timeslast night.