Income levy - Extra tax on rich alone is not realistic

Jack O’Connor, general president of SIPTU and President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) warned yesterday that growth is the only means by which Ireland can avoid default in the current financial difficulties.

Many on the right wing of the political spectrum have been asserting that financial default is inevitable for this country. Even though the Troika agreement with the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Union is admittedly restrictive, Mr O’Connor insists that it is tactically and strategically wrong to suggest that we must inevitably default.

“We must articulate a better, fairer way,” he insists. Those on the left should seize the initiative and concentrate on growing the economy by providing more jobs.