Brian Cowen spoke at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner tonight. Last year we were awash with Obama in an off the cuff speech. This year is all “we’re in this together” – storm – perfect storm – innovation – let’s stone the naysaying sayers kinda speech. Now, where’s my Nespresso as I spot the contradictions!

We can decide if we want to emphasize the negative and talk about the problems as if there is no solution or we can decide that we must build a platform for prosperity from the strengths that are inherently in our economy as we speak. And that’s going to require a change in mindset, a mindset that says, “yes we are going out there to compete in this new world and we are going to get investment and jobs for our people because that’s our job.”

And there are businesses – we are going to do whatever’s necessary to compete against those – against whom we are competing whether home or abroad.

That last bit had me scratching. What? He continues:

It’s that Can Do, that We Will attitude is what we need now more than before now. Not to wonder whether we can come through this, because we are going to come through it.

Recessions end.

The question is, are we going to be in the best position be in to pick up or are we going to prolong the recession and defer opportunity, because we weren’t prepared to take the decisions that we know in our heart of hearts we have to take now based on the figures that’s in front of us.

And to do so on the basis of maintaining some sense of values, that we are one community. We help those that are worse off and we ask those best able to take the hit, to take the hit in the wider interest. And also to ensure at the end of the day, we can say to our kids – “yes, we were a generation that benefited at a time of great prosperity but when challenged we looked to the future, looked beyond our own self-interest and said yes, here’s a country worth working for and building and one we can say in 2016 when we get to O’Connell Street and look up to those men and women of idealism, who’ve given us the chance to be the country we are – yes, we didn’t fail our children, but most importantly we didn’t fail our country either.”

Cowen is scheduled to speak at the Cork Chamber tomorrow. More of the same? Shall we be treated to Dr Doug instead?

Update – Video via Fianna Fáil

Part 1 of the video

Part 2 of the video

Listen back here

Thanks to Dublin Chamber for the audio and nods to Suzy for the storming inspiration!

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