Brian Cowen - Legacy

Legacy

Cowen became a leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach without ever facing a general election in either capacity. Under his stewardship of the country, his party Fianna Fáil, saw its electoral support base diminished by 75% in the general election of February 2011, as a reaction to the intervention, in the running of the Irish economy, of the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank in November 2010.

Cowen was criticised for being a poor communicator and for his perceived failure to connect with the electorate. Historian Diarmaid Ferriter described Cowen's "appalling communication skills and self-destructive stubbornness" as inflicting most damage to Fianna Fáil.

As the scale of the party's electoral defeat became evident, Cowen accepted responsibility for decisions taken in government.

From my point of view as Taoiseach and as minister in the past I take full responsibility. I've never quibbled or suggested otherwise.

In November 2011, a review of Cowen's governance was broadcast on RTE television over two episodes entitled Crisis: Inside the Cowen Government. Cowen did not contribute to the series, but many of his former ministerial colleagues critiqued his performance as Taoiseach