THE GOVERNMENT remains committed to the Croke Park agreement on public service pay and reform, and various departments were bringing forward sectoral plans in the coming weeks, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.
During a visit to the National and European Ploughing Championships, where he was generally well received by the public, the Taoiseach also said that he did not believe his poll ratings had implications for his leadership.
Commenting on the latest figures showing a decline in growth in the second quarter of this year, he rejected claims the economy was slipping back into recession. “We have to look at the full year.”
He also declared that he would not be making any further comments in future on his social life including any alleged drinking activities.
Commenting to reporters after he had spent about two hours visiting the stands and exhibits at the ploughing championships, he said: “It was a very good reception. People are very courteous and civil when you are out amongst them and it was great: a great atmosphere, very positive.”
Asked if he remained committed to the Croke Park agreement and whether the deal was still sustainable, he said: “The Croke Park deal was agreed over the summer and the implementation body has met four times since its formation in July.
“Various departments have to bring forward sectoral plans now in the next couple of weeks as to how we implement this on the ground, working with the social partners to achieve it.
“There is provision in the agreement in the event of there being any serious deterioration obviously to go back and discuss that with social partners.
“But the situation as things stand is that we are seeking to implement the deal that we have agreed.”
When asked if he was concerned that an unfavourable showing in opinion polls could make his leadership an issue again, he replied: “No, this country is run on the basis of parliamentary democracy. Working majorities in the House decide the formation and retention of governments, not opinion polls.
“By the same token one, as a practising politician, is mindful of what they mean as a snapshot in time but the imperative is that we implement the policies that are necessary to secure the future of this country and that is what we are doing.”
Asked about a report in yesterday's Irish Sunnewspaper claiming he had indulged in a lengthy drinking session at a Co Mayo hotel during his summer holidays last July, Mr Cowen replied: "I want to make it very clear about this: I'm not going to make any comment on stories of this kind or any other such stories that might be coming around the place. I'm not involved in these claims of accusation and denial.
“I’ve done all of my public duties to the very best of my ability at all times and I’m simply not going to get into that game with anybody.”
Commenting on the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office, he said: “The second quarter figures I suppose are disappointing. It’s against the background of the first quarter being better than expected.” However, he rejected suggestions in some international media that Ireland was slipping back into recession:
“We have to look at the full year and obviously you take what information you can from each quarterly account, if you like, but you’ve got to look at the full year to get the best possible estimate of how things will go . . .
“Domestic demand, domestic consumption, is not what I would like to see it; we have to continue to encourage people, those who have disposable income – and savings ratios are up this year, compared to last – we’ve got to encourage people to spend in the domestic economy.”