Commenting on the Taoiseach’s meeting this week with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane has said that her party would not be part of a consensus for cuts and was joining with trade unionists, community and voluntary organisations, and other progressive voices in calling for an alternative way forward.
“This week’s meeting involving the leaders of Fianna Fáil, the Greens, Fine Gael and Labour represents an effort by a totally discredited Government to win support for its slash and burn policies,” Cllr. Ruane said.
“Now is a time when parties of the left should be joining with trade unionists, community and voluntary organisations and other progressive voices in demanding an alternative way forward. That is what Sinn Féin is doing by calling for the following:
• The abandonment of the unrealistic and damaging target of three per cent deficit reduction by 2014.
• Revenue saving and raising based on fairness and efficiency.
• Stimulus measures to protect and create jobs.
• Protection of vital frontline public services including health, education and social supports.
“There needs to be a consensus for real recovery, not a conspiracy of political parties against the people,” she added. “It is the people who have been left out of the equation and to include them we must have a general election.”
