Taoiseach expresses surprise that "cribbing and moaning" critics of Irish economy and Government policy "don't commit suicide"

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern T.D.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said during an address to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) biennial conference in Bundoran, County Donegal this morning, that he did not know how people who moaned about the economy did not "commit suicide".

"Sitting on the sidelines, cribbing and moaning is a lost opportunity. I don't know how people who engage in that don't commit suicide because frankly the only thing that motivates me is being able to actively change something," Ahern said.

In his prepared remarks, the Taoiseach said: "My message to you this morning is about confidence for the future. Confidence, in the strength of the economy that we have created together over recent decades. Confidence, in the value of the social progress which that economic strength has made possible.

Confidence, in our ability to rise to new challenges and to meet them together. Confidence, in our own judgement in the face of commentators and others who regularly cast doubt, not only on our future, but even on the reality of our past achievements and how we managed to bring them about. Ultimately, confidence, in the face of change and in the realisation that standing still is not an option, for any of us.

There are those who believe that our recent successes are an illusion. That they will disappear and we will be back to the natural order, an Ireland of unemployment and under-achievement. Some of these voices were telling us, not so long ago, that our approach was all wrong, that social partnership was a mistake, that centralised pay bargaining could not deliver. They were wrong then, and they are still wrong.

We have every reason to be confident but we have no grounds for complacency. In a world with higher interest rates, higher energy costs and increasing competition from emerging economies, success cannot be taken for granted and prosperity must be protected."

Ahern also announced a new initiative to alleviate fees for part-time students in third level public institutions who have not previously pursued a third level qualification. The new scheme is part of the Government's strategy to improve the skills of the workforce and boost competitiveness.

The Government has also commissioned research into the impact on the economy of employment agencies. Unions fear that the use of agency workers is undermining terms and conditions for permanent employees and is facilitating exploitation of migrant workers.

Speech

Apology

Following the address, the Taoiseach apologised for his reference to suicide.

Ahern's comments were criticised by Fine Gael TD and deputy health spokesman Dan Neville, who is also president of the Irish Association of Suicidology.

Neville said the Taoiseach's remarks on suicide showed an "appallingly poor" understanding of the issue at the highest level in the country.

"While I have heard the Taoiseach's apology, I believe that he is still not conscious of the impact of his remarks," Neville said.

"It is a dismal indicator of the mindset at the highest level in the country that the Taoiseach can so casually make a remark like this about suicide. By doing so he fails to understand the message which is given to the many people who have experienced suicidal tendencies and is unconscious of the deep hurt that people who are bereaved by suicide experience when this issue is used in such a careless fashion."

Neville added: "Of all the issues which are considered politically sensitive, no other seems to so easily roll off the tongue of senior Government figures without due thought for the consequences."