In the hard-hitting interview, the Taoiseach talks to Hot Press about the decreasing popularity of Fianna Fáil as the local elections approach, and the potential rivalry from opposition parties, including RTÉ Economic Editor George Lee, who's now running as a Fine Gael candidate.

Cowen answers the constant questions he faces about the recession and promises that tighter regulations will be put in place so that the banks cannot run “riot” again.

He also reminds us that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel, but that we'll have to face more before the economy is lifted out of the doldrums.

"We’ve come through tough times in the past as well. We are a resilient people. This recession will pass, as others have," he says.

See the full exclusive interview in the new Hot Press, out now.