Cowen Admits 'I Know I’ve Not Got Everything Right'

The Taoiseach has told his party that he "needs to do better" during his keynote speech at the party’s annual think-in today.

A beleaguered Brian Cowen, who is facing some of the worst political catastrophes seen in Ireland since independence, said his party had been tested and he had been "tested hard".

He said: "I want to be honest with you. I know I’ve not got everything right. No leader ever does. I know I need to do better and I am determined to justify to the last ounce the great confidence this party has reposed in me.

He added: "I am determined to do so with every fibre of my being and I am determined not to let you down."

Mr Cowen has been in the firing line for some time from critics and colleagues alike as the government continues to run into huge challenges, such as last year's defeat of the Lisbon Treaty referendum and the global economic crisis.

Mr Cowen added that the dissent he had experienced over the NAMA proposals, which he believed was the best possible way to "fix the banks", amounted to "catch-cries" and claims that his government were bailing out the banks were "cheap politics".

Mr Cowen said: "People are free to oppose me, this party or this government. They can support or reject our policies. But our whole motivation is securing the common good in difficult circumstances."

In his closing words, Mr Cowen said his journey through the ranks of the party was guided by his principles, loyalty to the party, service to the country and a determination to always do his best for the people.

"I’ve devoted much of, even most of, my adult life to Fianna Fáil. It has been my privilege. This party means so much to me. And I so much want to live up to its expectations. To deliver, to make each of you proud. To get us through the hard times and to see our country prosper."

(DW/KMcA)