FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin said a series of decisions central to the future of Ireland and Europe would be made in the coming days, when he appeared on RTÉ television last night.
In a four-minute pre-recorded address broadcast after the 9pm news bulletin, Mr Martin said he wanted to be clear about the many challenges facing the country.
“These are very difficult times. There are no easy solutions,” he said. Mr Martin said he was “absolutely convinced” Ireland would recover, but that education must be protected, export companies supported and natural resources developed. The amount the Government borrows to fund public services must also be reduced, he said.
“Significant budget savings are necessary this week. But we should be very clear – the Government still has a lot of choices it can make. If the Government wants to, it can choose to be fairer.”
Mr Martin said the Coalition could choose to help job creation and to give priority to families under pressure.
“Unfortunately, some of the decisions which have already been announced are far from fair. These are decisions that will cost jobs, not create them. And they will do nothing to help vulnerable families.” Mr Martin said an immediate 2 per cent VAT increase was not necessary. “It will cost jobs. It is being demanded by no one. It will cause significant damage.”
He said the “hard-pressed” retail sector needed support, “not another body-blow”. He said pensioners were being penalised to fund “a failing jobs initiative”, while “withdrawing money from job creating capital projects” was “strategically the wrong choice”.
Mr Martin recorded his address ahead of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin’s speech at 2.30pm.
“In our party’s budget proposal, we show how Government can meet its targets and still deliver greater investment in capital projects to create jobs and to invest in Ireland’s future,” he said.
Mr Martin said it was not too late for the Government to “change its mind” on the pension levy. The Fianna Fáil leader also said one in every five Irish homes was experiencing real mortgage difficulties and it was time for more action to help them. He urged the Coalition to adopt Fianna Fáil legislation “to give practical help to families in debt”.
He said the banks had “a responsibility to our society and they should never forget it”.
“This Government has a big majority and a duty to respect the mandate it sought and received from the people. As proposed, its budget breaks too many promises, makes too many wrong decisions and will hold back rather than promote job creation.” He said Ireland was not alone in facing major economic challenges and insisted the euro would not be saved by “narrow, national agendas”.
“The Government should stop being a passive bystander and set out Ireland’s bottom line before Friday’s meeting.”
