YOUNG FINE GAEL has called for a job-creation programme to stimulate the economy and deal with rising unemployment.
At their national conference in Athlone yesterday, delegates unanimously backed a motion from Dublin Mid-West proposing “a radical plan of investment in strategic infrastructure projects and the school-building programme”.
Dublin Mid-West delegate William Lavelle said while canvassing in Lucan for the local elections it was heartbreaking to meet those who had lost their jobs.
“There is no response from the Government. Fianna Fáil has dragged our economy to its knees.”
Mr Lavelle said other countries had seen the potential in investing in the economy. “All you have to do is look at President Obama and his massive stimulus package in the United States. Look at what China and Germany are doing.
“These countries are investing in infrastructure. Investing in a school-building programme would get people working as well as improving our education system.”
Delegates rejected a motion calling for all gardaí to be armed.
Colm Murray, University of Limerick, said it was a necessary move to deal with escalating crime.
“Gun crime in this country is a very serious issue today. CSO figures show that it has seen a significant increase in recent years. The number of shootings jumped 54 per cent between 2004 and 2008, increasing from 211 per year to 325.”
A Trinity College motion calling for conscription for the young unemployed was also defeated.
Tom Broe, of Trinity College, said those aged between 18 and 25 years, who were unemployed for over a year and not in full-time education, should be required to serve two years in the Army.
“At that age your perspective is set, and if you have never held a job you will not see it as necessary and will miss out on the greater sense of self-worth and independence that work provides.”
The State, he said, had an obligation to be caretakers of those people’s welfare for two years.
Delegates backed a motion calling for a Yes vote in the next Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Young Fine Gael president Barry Walsh said members of the party were overwhelmingly in favour of the treaty and knew he was largely preaching to the converted.
“We are facing a second referendum this year and the national executive feels it is important that an endorsement be given by the conference in supporting a Yes vote.”
Addressing delegates on Saturday, Mr Walsh said Young Fine Gael had reached heights not seen for over 20 years.
“It has been a year of extraordinary highs for Fine Gael. Our membership has now reached a level that has not been seen since before many Young Fine Gael members were even born.
“When I joined Young Fine Gael in 2001, we were little more than a college-based debating society, with about 500 members nationwide.
“After several years of growth we have an explosion of over 700 per cent in our membership.”
