Fine Gael's Mr Michael Noonan has attacked the Government's economic policy and "populous agenda" in his first public speech since his election as party leader. Mr Noonan set out a social justice agenda for his party in anticipation of the next general election.
Mr Noonan was speaking last night at a Dublin conference in the RDS held in place of the planned Fine Gael Ard Fheis which was cancelled because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
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| Mr Michael Noonan |
In his leader's speech, Mr Noonan said social issues house, education and child care would be among the key priorities of a Fine Gael led administration.
"It is time for a new social contract with the people where a government commits itself to delivering a high standard of health, education, public transport, roads and environment. These are the issues that now cause most concern for our citizens."
Mr Noonan was to address an estimated 5,000 delegates ahead of a general election expected before the end of the year and a bye-election due within weeks.
Instead told about 500 Dublin-based delegates at the scaled-down conference, "These are dark days for our farm families and rural communities. The tens of thousands of jobs in the food processing industry are at risk, and farming incomes will be hit even further than they had been already."
In his attack on the Government's policy he said Fianna Fail and the PDs had pursued economic growth at the expense of social inclusion.
He said: "The country is now in danger of ending up with a first world level of national income with a third world infrastructure and a poor quality of life."
Mr Noonan said the Government had not caused the country's prosperity but had the capacity to destroy it. Listing the negative "legacies" of the Government, he said they derived from bad politics and economics, leaving the country with "appalling social problems".
"Their legacy will already take some time to eradicate. The new apartheid between rich and poor, the alienation in young people, inflation and congestion, the jigsaw of regional imbalances, the erosion of the quality of life, the demoralisation of the public service workers, the mock battles in Brussels and the disillusionment of our European partners, the deterioration of basic services like health and education - these are legacies of the present administration."
Mr Noonan was most critical of the Government's handling of health policy, and singled out North Dublin's health service which he said suffered from massive under-investment and shortages. The problems were similar across the country, he added.
He spoke of a widespread perception "that those businesses who contribute to political parties enjoy an inner circle status." He said it was time to call a stop, and said his party would not accept such party donations.
Mr Noonan also expressed his dissatisfaction with the Government's handling of the foot-and-mouth scare, saying it lacked vigour and needed a more urgent and focused approach.