hung over Brian Cowen on rte morning Ireland, how many pints do you think he had??

It's all a bit irish, all this who-ha-ha because someobody suggested that BC was drunk/hung over, when in fact far more serious criticisms can/could be made and hardly get a mention?

Poor judgement on his behalf, he/handlers should have found some reason for him not being available for interview, I'm sure things pop up all the time, BC being a world leader etc?:eek:

The whole episode not only affects him, the Gov but also and regrettably Irl Inc.:(

He has representative responsibilities (the country) even at after-conference piss ups.

Foolish.

snyper wrote: »

Dont be pissed off. The taxpayer dont fund them.

We do pay their amazing wages................:mad:

Story just wont go away for biffo so he's come out and talked about it.

He's admitted it wasn't his best performance and this was due to a "confluence of events" ( i.e. he kept drinking )

RTE link

Taoiseach's apology for interview

Taoiseach apologises for radio interview performance | 15/09/2010Transcript of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's interview with RTÉ’s David Davin Power where he apologises for his radio performance yesterday morning which caused an international controversy.

BC: Well I think I’ve listened and heard how things have been going today and was told about it - I was at a couple of cabinet meetings and cabinet subcommittee meetings today.

But I would like to make it very clear there was no intention on my part whatever of any disrespect to the country or to the people of Ireland in respect of the interview itself. It wasn’t my best interview having heard it again on tape as there was a hoarseness in my voice.

But I was prepared for it over the weekend. There was a confluence of events that occurred but I want to make it very clear there was no basis for the assertions that were made by political opponents about it. But I do want to emphasise at no stage would I ever entertain disrespecting the people in terms of the office I hold.

DDP: Are you sorry now you did that interview?

BC: Well I’m sorry that it emerged in the quality that it did, as I say there was a hoarseness in my voice throughout the day yesterday. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that it wasn’t my best performance and I would like to apologise for that. If people were to take from it that there was any suggestion of disrespect or casualness on my part it wasn’t the case. The fact of the matter is I wouldn’t do that. I’ve always taken my role seriously and ensured that I perform my public duties properly.

DDP: What do you say to ministers who may be wondering if this is a lapse of judgement that shows that you’re not the man to sell the budget, you’re not the man to lead them into byelections and you’re not the man to lead them into the General Election?

BC: Well I have been leading this Government for the last over two and a half years through difficult times, critical times for the country, and I think we have been making the right decisions. There is a good unity of purpose in the Government and we are all working together very hard today and in the days ahead.

DDP: Has this not damaged your standing as Taoiseach with your peers?

BC: Well I hope not. I would recognise that there are times that something doesn’t go well you have to acknowledge and be truthful about it. But as I say the assertions that were made subsequent to it were without justification, were without foundation, were not correct were not true and I would hate to think the reputation of the country or the office of Taoiseach would in any way be affected by what I had to say.

DDP: Finally the thrust of the argument coming from your supporters has been that its Simon Coveney’s fault for tweeting in the way that he did but really aren’t you admitting that the primary problem in this whole sage was your performance in this interview?

BC: As I say the substance of what I had to say I don’t think that anyone has any queries with, the tone of my voice was not good because of the hoarseness of my voice. And I’ve listened to it now today and I acknowledge that. I’m just making the point to people first of all there was not intention on my part whatever to be disrespectful or casual about the issue and secondly I have to take my responsibilities and I would ask others to reflect on what responsibility they should take based on a very unworthy allegation being made after the interview which in fact got wider public articulation internationally as well and I don’t think that was a good thing and people should reflect on that.

DDP: Have you apologised to your Cabinet colleagues for your performance?

BC: Certainly I said to all of my colleagues that I was very sorry, that there was obviously adverse publicity around what was a good and substantive meeting of the Fianna Fáil party where people of substance came to discuss serious issues and I think that shouldn’t be lost sight of.

And I want to say from my point of view that it is something that I’m very conscious of. I dealt with it I hope in a frank and honest way. I think those who did attend the meeting will acknowledge that what I have to say is accurate in terms of my own demeanour. And I just want to be assurent [sic] to people that there is no disrespect intended and certainly make sure that something like that wouldn’t happen again.

DDP: Just for the record you feel your position as Taoiseach is secure?

BC: Yes. I mean I’ve had our Cabinet meeting today and people acknowledge that this Government has a huge job of work to do. We are making the right decisions, we are on the right road, the plans are being implemented and we need a period of stability and determined government to implement both the budget ahead and ensure we can get back on track.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0915/breaking62.html

simon coveney in his tweet called cowen 'taoiseach' as opposed to 'the taoiseach' so how drunk was he to make such a massive cataclysmic typing error????? i asked a doctor friend today about it and he said cowen had some sort of bronchiole issue anyway which makes him stuffy and blocked up, and he isnt a good speaker nor is kenny,bertie,them green fellas etc, obama is cameron is but they aint from offally well except obama! id only love to do a jager bomb with the taoiseach

Diddler1977 wrote: »

His hangover will be gone soon but the annoyance of the people over this will not go away.
2 painkillers and a glass of water will not fix this.

i'm sorry i still don't see what the problem with a man enjoying himself once in a while is.
one of my worst friends has gone into work hungover on occasion. he is in a very good job and was recently promoted by his employer. i know another guy, who works in actuary, he too has also gone into work hungover and is still working with the same firm.
now of course these people are not necessarily representative of the working population of Ireland as a whole. however, i think it's reasonable to surmise, given our culture, that many people who have viewed this thread have, strictly speaking, breached the terms of their employment contract in this regard and not been sacked for it.
It really is perverse that people are seemingly more outraged and embarrassed over this, rather than his utter contempt for the electorate by not holding those three by elections and his gross incompetency as minister of finance- which was aptly demonstrated by him arrogantly stating that it wasn't his job to intervene in the property market. if the counter argument is that he is showing contempt by daring to enjoy himself then, no, i don't accept it. He is a human being not an automaton.

I really think people are just looking for reasons to critisize Cowen at this stage.

Honestly folks all the man was go out and have a few beers with friends to unwind. What is the problem with that? We've all done it. Just because he's Taoiseach does not mean he can't have a social life and isn't allowed to have a drink if he fancies it.

You'd think people would have more important things to worry about than Brian Cowen's social life.

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Its not his social life people are concerned with, its his ability to do his job, that being keeping this crumbling country afloat.
His is the task most worth worrying about, I only hope he is as worried about it as we are.

Like I said, in my opinion excuses!

People will ridicule him for the slightest thing. Now I have no great love for the man but I think there are things far more pressing to worry about like his lack of movement getting the economy on it's feet, than worry about how he spends his free time.

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Like I said, in my opinion excuses!

People will ridicule him for the slightest thing. Now I have no great love for the man but I think there are things far more pressing to worry about like his lack of movement getting the economy on it's feet, than worry about how he spends his free time.

People see it as a tip of an iceberg, the lads with the expenses handbooks and dail bar living it up, this is the image people have of FF and to show up hungover to an interview just adds credence to that.

Its not something that is being critisised on its own, its in the context of seemingly inept political leaders and is seen as a symptom, not the main problem.

adrieanne__x wrote: »

But he didn't go out with friends to have a few beers and unwind. He was at a government annual "think in". These people were supposed to be thinking up ideas of how to best run the country and they were getting pissed while doing it.

They couldn't think of anything constructive, so then thought that it was a good idea to get hammered.