Government accused of copying old administration EU policies

OPPOSITION parties united in agreement that the new Government was just copying the old administration’s IMF/EU bailout policies — but divided sharply on whether that was a good or bad thing.

Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Brian Lenihan accused Fine Gael and Labour of embracing the deal they condemned during the election campaign — but bolting on a secret tax hike/service cuts package to it.

Sinn Féin and the United Left Alliance rounded on the Government for “abandoning” the most vulnerable in Irish society in order to please the IMF.

Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the Government defaulted on its election mandate and was “too weak” to put Ireland’s interests first.

“They have passed the EU/IMF test but failed the Irish test,” he said.

“This is a far cry from the calls of Fine Gael and Labour that they would not be bound by the terms of this agreement. By the end of this year the Government under this programme is committed to increasing employee’s taxes by lowering their personal income bands and credits, introducing a property tax, increasing carbon taxes, as well as reducing social expenditure.

“The Government of Ireland has defaulted on its mandate – its mandate to the people of this state who elected them. It is a sad day when our economic future is being decided by unelected figures outside of the state,” Mr Doherty said.

“The Government needs to fundamentally renegotiate this deal which is hurting our people, our services and our economy,” he said.

Mr Lenihan accused the Cabinet of hypocrisy over the bailout deal.

“We have witnessed a remarkable transformation in Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin — two of the most vocal critics of the deal when it was announced — now talk about their satisfaction with its progress and its importance in maintaining the country’s public services,” he said.

“This is the same deal, with the same political priorities identified by the last government. The only difference is an additional cost of approximately €400m to the taxpayer to fund a reduction in PRSI.

“But how are they paying for the reduction in PRSI? And what tax raising/service cutting deal have they already agreed with EU/IMF officials to fund any jobs initiative?

“Yet again, the Irish people will be reminded of the shrillness and negativity of these parties while in opposition and will contrast it with their adoption of the same policies and priorities as the last government when faced with the same choices,” Mr Lenihan said.