Taoiseach denies consensus U-turn
Updated: 13:05, Thursday, 14 October 2010
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has rejected the suggestion that he has done a U-turn on reaching consensus with political opponents on the economy.
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Taoiseach Brian Cowen has rejected the suggestion that he has done a U-turn on reaching consensus with political opponents on the economy.
Mr Cowen said he has always been open to discussing the economy with other political parties.
Fine Gael has said it will respond positively to the invitation from the Taoiseach to discuss the economy and the Labour leader Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil this morning he will be replying to the Taoiseach later today.
Speaking this afternoon, Mr Cowen said consensus would be helpful and would send a positive message to the international community that politicians here had a common approach to our difficulties.
Asked if he was upset that the Green Party had stolen a march on him by publicly supporting a political consensus first, he said as a party they were entitled to take positions on such matter.
Reacting to Sinn Féin criticism that they had not been invited to participate in the process about to get underway, Mr Cowen said this afternoon the party have made it clear they do not subscribe to requirements to reduce the deficit to 3% by 2014.
The Taoiseach said because of that, there is basis on which to reach a common to solution to the problem with them.
Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it was an absolute disgrace that the Taoiseach's invitation was not extended to his party.
Mr Ó Caoláin said Fine Gael and Labour are complicit in the exclusion of Sinn Féin and the Independents.
Mr Cowen confirmed that Fine Gael and Labour will be briefed by the Department of Finance early next wee
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