Socialist MEP calls Kenny award a 'sick joke'

Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy, a member of the United Left Alliance, has branded a German publisher’s decision to bestow a ‘European of the Year’ award on Enda Kenny as a ‘sick joke’.

Yesterday VDZ named Kenny as the 2012 recipient of the award, with the Taoiseach expected to travel to Berlin to accept the prize.

Murphy however, says the Fine Gael leader should be ‘Bondholders’ European of the Year’.

"While the Taoiseach may be celebrating this morning with the announcement of his winning of a 'European of the Year' award, anyone not over-awed by his appearance on Time magazine will be wondering what this award is for,” the MEP said.

“Patronisingly, apparently the award is also for the 'Irish people' recognising the 'genuine hardship' we have experienced. This is a sick joke for people whose lives have been destroyed by disastrous austerity implemented in the interests of the rich bondholders.

"The Taoiseach has ruled Ireland in the interests of Europe alright, but not the Europe of the millions, but rather the Europe of the rich and the bondholders.

“In 2012 alone, he has overseen the transfer of close to €30 billion from taxpayers to ultra-rich bondholders, between the sovereign debt and the bonds of the banks now in state ownership. He is the bondholders' European of the Year.”

Murphy added that Ireland’s bank debt deal lies in tatters because of Kenny acting as a ‘good pupil’, while encouraging mass protest.

"Despite the attempts through his conversation with Angela Merkel to suggest otherwise, the reality is that Kenny and the government's strategy on the bank debt lies in tatters.

“Being the 'good pupil' in the class has failed. Working people in Ireland now need to join with their brothers and sisters in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta who are building for a general strike on 14 November, by organising mass protest. Concretely, this means building for a massive protest on Saturday 24 November."