PDs:Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell yesterday said that the tide of growth and prosperity would start flowing out if Ireland elected a centre-left government that was not focused on enterprise, investment and growth.
In an address to the Newbridge Chamber of Commerce in Kildare, he said that the difference between his party and Labour and the Greens was that the PDs were "growth makers" not "growth takers".
He said that Newbridge, and towns like it, had been transformed by the endeavour, enterprise and initiative of local business people and the arrival of investment from foreign shores.
"Of course we must protect what we have. But it must be built upon," he said.
He said the PDs would put forward a programme of policies to help businesses grow.
"We have a vision for Ireland that will ensure that in May 2012, we can look back on this time and say: that was merely the platform on which we built further progress. It was not the high-water mark of Ireland's achievements, but rather a sound base-line from which we went on and provided increasing prosperity, better public services and enhanced quality of life to every person and family living here."
