Taoiseach Nua

ブライアン・カウエン Brian Cowen さんが5月7日、アイルランドの第12代首相に就任した。アイルランド語ではブリーアン・オコーン Brian Ó Comhain だ。1960年1月10日生れの48歳。出身は中東部オファリ県のトラモア（タラモア） Tullamore 〔アイルランド語ではトゥラハ・ウォール Tulach Mhór〕。ゴールウェー県のすぐ東だが、レンスターに属する。アイルランド語名の tulach は低い丘、塚、小山の意で、全体では日本語ならさしづめ「大塚」。

「ホットプレス」Hot Press がちょうど去年の今頃インタヴューを発表したが、中々面白いので引用する。＜パブで育った男、首相になる＞。アイルランドならではだなあ。

Do you enjoy a drink yourself?

I do. This time of the year, the summer, more lagers than Guinness. I have always enjoyed – I was reared in a pub – as a young fellow, serving in the pub I learnt far more there about human nature than I learnt in any university or school. I think it gave me a great insight into people. Sometimes, I reckon my political judgements have emanated from my observation of people and my understanding of what makes them tick. I find it very relaxing and I enjoy the company. I very seldom would ever drink at home. I know that younger people are different about that now. You have more people drinking at home than going out. But, for me, if I have a drink I have a drink in a pub. On my way home from a meeting, I would always go in for a couple. It is good to talk about other things and not to have your life dominated by politics. It takes up enough of our time as it is. I enjoy the craic and other things, local issues, local chat, sport.

インタヴューはさらにカウエンさんの宗教観も問う。この訊き方もアイルランドならでは。

Do you believe in God?

I do. Being a good Christian is a difficult thing. I don’t believe in the secularisation of the country. I believe that religion has its place. Spirituality has its place for people. It can bring a bit of meaning to life and a purpose. I respect those who don’t believe; I also respect very much those who do. It is certainly part of my life – as best I can.

Do you go to mass every Sunday?

I certainly go to bed with the intention (laughs). Most Sundays.

Do you believe in heaven and hell?

I believe there is a place beyond here, yeah. Hell is not the fire and brimstone hell. For me, one struggles with one’s faith all the time. It is like everything, you have to renew it. You have to work at it. You have a different perspective at different times of your life. But I am not a person who is dismissive of religion. I admire those who have faith, who live a life of faith, who find a great deal of contentment and perspective in their life as a result of that faith – whether it’s Christian, or Muslim. We are in a more multi-cultural country now, a more multi-faith country. That’s good.

But is the Church still relevant today?

I would be very strongly of the view that the values that have served us well historically are just as relevant in this era of prosperity today – that we don’t become a ‘me’ generation, that we don’t become a selfish individualistic society that fragments, but (one) where the values of solidarity and civilised living and dignity towards our elderly and providing facilities that enable them improve their lives remain. These are important values of society, ones that I think that are shared by all the parties, but ones that we need to give expression to more effectively.

アイルランドで週末に開かれるエラハタスは日曜日午前はミサが組まれる。これは常識。アイルランドから来日した人にも、その時間は空けておこう。