Cowen makes plans for Government

Mr Cowen, 48, said he hoped to emulate the work rate and patience of Mr Ahern but he believed he would also develop his own stamp on the top political office in the State.

He said: “I hope to match him but we all have our own style in that respect.

“I am full aware that I am accountable to the electorate and the citizens of this country for any decisions I make on their behalf.”

The married father-of-two from County Offaly also appealed for media privacy towards his private life.

“There is a family side to my life which I wish to see respected,” he told his first press conference in the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.

Mr Cowen said he would devote all his energies and abilities to his new responsibilities.

Setting out his vision, the solicitor said: “We will strive to build a country strong and free, with decent living standards for all, where our elderly are secure and respected and where our young people can look to their future in Ireland with confidence.

“Now, more than ever, in the years ahead, we will work towards making that dream a reality.”

He continued: “My commitment to my party colleagues and my fellow citizens today is I will devote all my abilities and all my energies to that task.”

After introductory remarks in Irish, Mr Cowen said his election as the seventh leader of his party was a great honour and the highlight of his political career.

He added: “On a personal level, I am excited by the challenge if somewhat daunted by the responsibility.”

He appeared calm in the harsh media glare as he identified the economy, the health services and the Lisbon Treaty among his priorities in office.

He confirmed that Fianna Fáil would remain committed to the Northern Ireland peace process and to building an all-island economy.

Mr Cowen is the first leader of Fianna Fáil since Mr Ahern succeeded Albert Reynolds in the position in November 1994.

Mr Ahern announced his shock resignation a week ago after growing public concern about allegations emerging from a public inquiry investigating his 1990s personal finances.

Mr Cowen said the sense of responsibility he felt as leader of his party was rooted in the history of Fianna Fáil and the achievements of its past leaders.

He invoked the memory of 1960s party leader Sean Lemass – whom he described as a “political giant” – to urge his colleagues to embrace a new love for their country and pride in its achievements.

Mr Cowen reiterated that he would not be talking about substantive policy issues or the composition of his Cabinet until he took over as Taoiseach next month.

Speaking of challenges ahead, Mr Cowen said the Irish economy was being affected by a global downturn but its foundations were strong.

“This country is not immune from the international trends of the past eight months.

“But the fundamentals of this economy are strong and I believe we are better equipped than ever before to withstand the difficulties of a clearly less benign international economic environment than before.

“But I would emphasise that in times of prosperity we must maintain the same values and approach as in times of adversity and poverty in the past.

“We must have belief in ourselves to confront the problems and overcome them.”

The leader-designate defended the troubled reform of the State’s health services and the record of embattled health minister Mary Harney.

“It is a project that is clearly complex and requires the full co-operation of all interests that work in the health service,” he said.

He added: “I believe that the policies we are pursuing are the right policies. We need to sustain the confidence of the public in the implementation of those policies.”

Mr Cowen also said that current Fianna Fáil policy on the North would continue into the future under his leadership.

“It is about a genuine mutual respect for the different traditions of this island, as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement,” he added.