Cowen invokes the spirit of Lemass in call for 'Yes'
Wednesday September 30 2009
THE spirit of Sean Lemass was summoned by Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday in his continuing plea for the Lisbon referendum to pass.
Launching a book on the popular former Taoiseach, who is widely credited with Ireland's mini industrial revolution in the 1950s, Mr Cowen suggested Lemass would be firmly in the 'Yes' camp today.
Mr Cowen refused to answer questions from the media gathered outside the Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street. He was particularly anxious to forget about FAS after the weekend interview in which he admitted Rody Molloy was given a €1.1m payoff without threatening legal action.
Once safely inside the prestigious academy, however, Mr Cowen visibly relaxed. And he proceeded to deliver a set script whose thrust was that Charlie Haughey's father-in-law was a leading 'Yes' man.
Benefits
"Lemass foresaw as far back as 1929 the immense benefits a European free-trade area with a huge market could bring to Ireland," Mr Cowen said. "Unfortunately for Ireland and for Europe the dawn of that era was still some way off."
Speaking to an invited audience that included many academics, along with former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and Maureen Haughey, widow of the late ex-Taoiseach and daughter of Mr Lemass, Mr Cowen said the latter had been central to Ireland's emergence from the international sidelines.
"His vision and foresight were at the forefront of Ireland's first application to join the EEC. In 1962, he insisted at the EEC's Council of Ministers that Ireland's rightful place was at the heart of Europe," Mr Cowen said, evoking a phrase much in use of late.
"In our time, we too have big decisions to make about Ireland's place in Europe. Lemass's generation understood that the whole basis for the struggle for Irish independence was to take our place among the nations -- not to stand separate for them.
Mr Cowen called Friday's referendum "a defining moment in this country's destiny". He added hopefully: "It is imperative we don't give the impression that we are turning our back on Europe."
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
Irish Independent
