Avril Doyle was “a giant in Irish politics” and emulating her success in Europe will be a challenge, Senator John Paul Phelan said as he was officially confirmed as the Fine Gael candidate for Ireland East.
“I will be trying to fill a space left by a giant in Irish politics,” the energetic 30 year-old said at the party’s Ireland East European Election selection convention. “I am so proud to be part of this team. To have the opportunity to work alongside someone with Mairead McGuinness’s energy, intellect and conviction is also a great honour.
“At a European level decisions will be made in the coming months and years that will directly impact on every sector of our economy. A broad unified response to global crises is vital to the prospects of recovery,”Senator Phelan said.
“We need reform of our banking and financial systems. Bankers should never be able to mortgage the future of the global economy with thoughtless gambling and speculation. Only regulation can prevent this kind of crisis recurring.
“Whatever has happened, we know that long-term, the best way to increase revenue is not to raise taxation but to grow the economy.
“We must ensure that Europe remains a place friendly to new business, open to risk-takers, and encouraging of entrepreneurs. We must ensure that the message of low taxation and free markets is not drowned out by the shrill voices of those who have no real answers to our problems.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. We have to communicate our message to a country shaken and in dire need of leadership. The temptation might be to spend our time re-addressing the frequently repeated, crass errors made by Fianna Fail as they stagger on, blind to the pit opening up before them. The people of Ireland know where they are. They know who brought them there. They won’t forget,” he insisted.
