Labour Leader Calls For Election

Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore has called for a general election, saying what Ireland needs now is "leadership" to deal with the current crisis.

Speaking at the Labour party conference on Saturday, Mr Gilmore said they needed to "re-boot" the economy to stimulate the country back into expansion.

He said: "We are in a recession. And for many, that is a new and frightening experience. But there is one thing we know for sure about recessions.

"They always come to an end. Or to be more accurate, they are brought to an end. By the actions of good government, by wise political leadership, but above all, by bold and imaginative new thinking."

In his rousing speech, Mr Gilmore accused Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen of allowing property speculators to "play monopoly" with the Irish economy, jobs, and lives.

"Right-wing economics and cautious, conservative politics cannot adjust now to a global scene that has utterly changed. Now is the time to create something new and better," the Labour leader said.

The attack comes as news of further planned cuts by the Fianna Fail surfaced today.

A special task force has been set up to identify areas of savings that could be made. The group is expected to make a series of rolling reports to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan this year, so that he can make immediate cuts.

(DW/BMcC)