OMEN
02-06-2009, 02:37 PM
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said living standards are set to drop by 10-12% over the next few years.
Addressing business leaders in Dublin last night, Mr Cowen said all sectors had to work together and 'believe in our capacity to confront the challenges that lie ahead'.
In an unscripted and often passionate speech to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce's lavish AGM dinner which cost €160 per person, Mr Cowen said he knew that many people were finding it difficult 'to stay in the game', and we had gone from a position of unknown prosperity to suddenly 'the survival stakes'.
But he appealed for self-belief, saying that if we decided to wallow in a sea of doubt, we should not be surprised if we remain in turbulent waters.
'We will not succumb to defeatism', he said.
He called on all sectors to work together, saying his priority over the next few years would be jobs, jobs, jobs.
'We must be prepared to take a drop in our standard of living over the next couple of years, but that in the context of the growth in wealth over the past decade, we are in a better position to face it than previous generations.'
The Taoiseach said: 'i think what we're seeing now, in the context of the fact that 36,000 people lost their jobs last month, is a need for that solidarity that we're seeing in the workplace.'
'That is a solidarity that must permeate everything that we do', he said.
RTE
Addressing business leaders in Dublin last night, Mr Cowen said all sectors had to work together and 'believe in our capacity to confront the challenges that lie ahead'.
In an unscripted and often passionate speech to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce's lavish AGM dinner which cost €160 per person, Mr Cowen said he knew that many people were finding it difficult 'to stay in the game', and we had gone from a position of unknown prosperity to suddenly 'the survival stakes'.
But he appealed for self-belief, saying that if we decided to wallow in a sea of doubt, we should not be surprised if we remain in turbulent waters.
'We will not succumb to defeatism', he said.
He called on all sectors to work together, saying his priority over the next few years would be jobs, jobs, jobs.
'We must be prepared to take a drop in our standard of living over the next couple of years, but that in the context of the growth in wealth over the past decade, we are in a better position to face it than previous generations.'
The Taoiseach said: 'i think what we're seeing now, in the context of the fact that 36,000 people lost their jobs last month, is a need for that solidarity that we're seeing in the workplace.'
'That is a solidarity that must permeate everything that we do', he said.
RTE