Taoiseach Brian Cowen has reacted strongly to Fine Gael suggestions that he has turned the country into a banana republic and criticised the opposition for dragging the good name of the country down.
A Fine Gael source was quoted yesterday as saying that the longer Fianna Fail stayed in Government the more the perception grows that “Mireland is becoming a banana republic”.
“That is an outrageous and offensive suggestion,” Mr Cowen said, “and it damages the country’s reputation abroad. Fine Gael should withdraw it immediately.”
It seems, however, that this spat between the two main parties has confused the public. “What are they on about?,” a caller to RTE’s Liveline said. “We’re not a banana republic. Banana republics have got bananas. We’ve got nothing. Those bastards have taken everything.”
“Things would have to get a lot better here for us to qualify as a banana republic,” the caller added.
