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Brian Cowen Quotes

Brian Bernard Cowen is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 2008 to 2011, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011, Minister for Foreign Affairs from January 2011 to March 2011 and 2000 to 2004, Minister for Defence from February 2011 to March 2011, Tánaiste from 2007 to 2008, Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2002 to 2008, Minister for Finance from 2004 to 2008, Minister for Health and Children from 1997 to 2000, Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1993 to 1994, Minister for Energy in January 1993 and Minister for Labour from 1992 to 1993. He served as a Teachta Dála for Laois–Offaly from 1984 to 2011.He became leader of Fianna Fáil upon the resignation of Bertie Ahern. On 7 May 2008, following the resignation of Ahern as Taoiseach, Cowen was nominated by Dáil Éireann to replace him and was appointed by the President later that day. His administration coincided with the Irish financial and banking crises. He has received substantial criticism for his failure to stem the tide of either crisis, ultimately culminating in his government's formal request for financial rescue from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, widely seen in Ireland as a national humiliation. Cowen's leadership saw public support for Fianna Fáil plunge to record lows, as well as the lowest public support on record for both a sitting Irish government and a sitting Taoiseach. With approval at 8 percent, by the time the 30th Dáil was dissolved, he was the least popular incumbent politician in the history of Irish opinion polling.In January 2011, following a failed and highly controversial attempt at a cabinet reshuffle and facing growing political pressure, Cowen resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil, but stayed on as Taoiseach until the election held later that year. A month later, he announced he would retire from politics at that election.The Sunday Times described Cowen's tenure as Taoiseach as "a dismal failure." In 2011, the Irish Independent called Cowen the "worst Taoiseach in the history of the State."

✵ 10. January 1960
Brian Cowen photo
Brian Cowen: 12   quotes 1   like

Famous Brian Cowen Quotes

“As long as I am running this Government I will run the Government as I see fit…as I believe in, based on my philosophy.”

Brian Cowen

He's taken the blows and now Brian's doing it . .His Way, Irish Independent, 28 January 2009, 2010-06-12 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/hes-taken-the-blows-and-now-brians-doing-it----his-way-1616861.html,
2009

“We need to get a handle on this, will you ring those fuckers.”

Brian Cowen

Brian Cowen to Mary Coughlan in the Dáil on 21 May 2008.
Cowen apology after use of f-word, RTÉ News, 21 May 2008, 2008-05-21 http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0521/dail.html,
The day Cowen will never be allowed to f-f-forget..., w:Irish Independent, 24 May 2008 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/the-day-cowen-will-never-be-allowed-to-ffforget-1385865.html,
2008

“We have seen already how resistant public opinion is, firstly to comprehension of the new paradigm in which we have to operate; and secondly, to the rationale behind the decisions we have had to take.”

Brian Cowen

Miriam Lord's Week, The Irish Times, 1 November 2008, 2010-06-12, https://archive.is/nQfKu, 2013-01-04 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1101/1225321623480.html,
Cowen's reaction to widespread public opposition to the October 2008 budget and the public's questioning of the rationale behind the cuts and why certain sections of the community were initially targeted.
2008

“Yeah, well, there's a mirror in the toilet if you want to go in there and talk to them.”

Brian Cowen

Brian Cowen responding to Martin McGuinness stating "We'll have to consult the [IRA] army council on this" to certain proposals made during the peace talks concerning Northern Ireland.
McCarthy, Justine, Cowen: The Anointed One, Sunday Tribune, 28 October 2007, 2008-05-07 http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2007/oct/28/cowen-the-anointed-one/,
2007

“However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the fundamentals of the economy are still good.”

Brian Cowen

The wise words of Brian Cowen, Irish Independent, 6 December 2007 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/budget2008/the-wise-words--of-brian-cowen-1239048.html,
2007

“I was reared in a pub – as a young fellow, serving in the pub I learnt far more there about human nature than I learnt in any university or school. I think it gave me a great insight into people.”

Brian Cowen

Hot Press interview with Brian Cowen, 23 May 2007
2007

Brian Cowen Quotes

“I believe it is the best method to get the buy-in for the road we have to travel. I believe it is a problem-solving process about how we collectively come forward with a strategy to deal with the issue.”

Brian Cowen

''A quoted comment from the Taoiseach, in a news report about his proposals for economic recovery'', The Irish Times, 9 January 2009, 2010-06-12 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0109/1231406001456.html,
2009

Travel , Problem

“Hopefully that will be seen as a response, a leadership responding to an issue and therefore one's authority, while it's not as high if you didn't have the problem, it does mean that people say 'well he used his authority to come up with a solution in double-quick time that met with broader public acceptance.”

Brian Cowen

Government comes under further Budget pressure, The Irish Times, 10 October 2008, 2010-06-12 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1023/breaking25.htm,
Explaining why there were radical Government alterations to a budgetary position in October 2008, with the alterations forced by angry public reaction.
2008

People , Problem , Time

“I think it is fair to say that 2007 represents a turning point for the Irish economy.”

Brian Cowen

Tansey, Paul and Beesley, Arthur, Tough Budget on way as growth slows down", The Irish Times, 19 October 2007, 2008-05-07 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/1019/1192737567227.html,
2007

Thinking

“There were a couple of occasions when it was passed around – and, unlike President Clinton, I did inhale!.”

Brian Cowen

Hot Press interview with Brian Cowen, 23 May 2007
2007

“I've come up through the ranks of this parliamentary party and let me tell you the principles that have guided me on that journey since my first election 25 years ago: Loyalty to the party, service to our country and a determination to always do my best for the people. They are principles that still guide me.”

Brian Cowen

Loyalty to a fault over Molloy affair is costing Cowen dearly, Irish Independent, 26 September 2009, 2010-06-12 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/loyalty-to-a-fault-over-molloy-affair-is-costing-cowen-dearly-1897480.html,
address to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in Athlone on 14 September 2009.
2009

People , Loyalty , Country

“That deterioration, if you like, has to be addressed in the context of the Government being prepared to look at further programmes to see what way we can ensure that going into next year, as challenging as it may be, to see in what way we can seek to help stabilise the finances further.”

Brian Cowen

Whatever you do, Brian, don't mention the deficit, Irish Independent, 3 December 2008, 2010-06-12 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/whatever-you-do-brian-dont-mention-the-deficit-1561099.html,
Cowen's unwillingness to clarify in the Dáil, the post budget deficit.
2008

Way , Help

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