SIPTU: Report an unnecessary, unworkable ‘exercise in fantasy’

THE country’s largest trade union described the An Bord Snip Nua report as an “exercise in fantasy” which is entirely unworkable, unnecessary and downright counter-productive.

SIPTU president Jack O’Connor said the terms of reference given to Colm McCarthy’s group had focused exclusively on reducing expenditure without regard to the economic and social implications or the viability of alternative approaches.

“This is graphically highlighted in that the Government’s own projections envisage reductions of €1.5 billion in current expenditure for 2010 and the same again in 2011, whereas this report recommends an incredible €5.3bn. The Government’s targets are not achievable without the most severe measures. The recommendations of this report are entirely unworkable, unnecessary and downright counter-productive.