Closing Campaign Statement by An Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen TD

Tomorrow is Election Day.

It's a day when there's much at stake at local and European level, as well as two by-elections in Dublin Central and Dublin South.

Tomorrow people will choose the best people to represent them on local and town councils. Fianna Fail have run a positive and an honest campaign. We have put forward solid proposals for more cost-efficient and effective local government. I believe our local candidates are best placed to represent their local communities on the local issues that matter.

Tomorrow the people are also being asked to choose the best MEPs for our country. I believe Ireland's best interests can only be served by electing MEPs who are unequivocally pro-Europe and pro-enterprise. Fianna Fail's candidates all have a strong track record of working hard and they have the capabilities and the capacity to co-operate with colleagues from across Europe to help fix this global recession.

Fianna Fáil have pointed out in this campaign that the last thing Ireland needs are representatives in Europe who have anti-EU policy agendas. This is because they will be on the fringes of the Parliament and they will not have the allies or the influence to ensure Ireland benefits from EU funding opportunities.

Europe matters because pursuing the right policies and sending the right people to Brussels and Strasbourg will benefit Ireland. Tomorrow jobs and investment are in the scales. The defining issue in this election must be which of the candidates has the capacity to bring jobs and investment home to Ireland. Fianna Fail's candidates have that capacity.

In the by-elections, Maurice Ahern and Shay Brennan have run strong campaigns. Shay is passionate about representing his local community and building on his distinguished father's good work. I ask the voters of Dublin South to give him that chance. Maurice Ahern has huge political experience and a great work ethic. He is the best candidate to get things done for the people of Dublin Central.

In conclusion, I want to thank the Fianna Fáil members, volunteers and party workers, for working so hard on the doorsteps these last few weeks and for their final efforts today and tomorrow. I'm proud that our 800 candidates have run on such a positive agenda and have not joined others in talking down the country. Government has had to take harsh decisions but they are the right decisions to get this country through a global recession.

The Government is determined to see the country through this recession by taking the decisions that will make us more competitive for when the economic upturn comes.

Ireland has a bright future and we can look forward with confidence. I believe if we continue to work together we will not only make it through these difficult days but we will all become stronger for it.