Sinn Féin ‘would creep in during night’, says Joan Burton
The possibility of Gerry Adams’ party gaining power was something to “be fearful of” when it came to the economy, the Tánaiste claimed, as she insisted she was a “tough” Dublin northside woman ready to fight for the party.
Pushing claims that the party would “responsibly” manage the economy, Labour took aim at both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, saying nobody believed the former’s “sleeveen” comments.
The thrust of Labour’s election launch yesterday was to promise to reduce down Ireland’s debt to below 75% of GDP. This would free up money to fund healthcare, housing and build schools, it said.
However, Labour is plateauing in the opinion polls at 7%, with some suggestions that Ms Burton herself might not keep her own seat in Dublin West. The party managed to achieve 10% in one poll last week, but there are concerns among candidates that it has not picked up support, especially after USC cuts were introduced.
The Tánaiste took issue at one stage with claims Labour’s interpretation of housing figures were wrong, and for the first time in the campaign, was very vocal, insisting that, as a Dubliner, she hated seeing boarded-up properties and that opening these up was important for housing purposes.
Asked about the Labour’s leadership possibly going to Alan Kelly, the deputy party leader, if she lost her seat, Ms Burton said she was a “tough” northside woman, adding: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
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During the launch, Ms Burton specifically targeted Sinn Féin and its tax policies.
She said: “I’m going to say to voters to beware of Sinn Féin creeping in in the night and offering to raise taxes on people who earn more than €100,000 by a swingeing 6%. I recall that, in France, that was tried recently and the consequences for the economy of theoretically very high taxes rates would push the rates for quite a lot of workers for Ireland up to over 62%. The consequences of that in a trading open economy, I would certainly be fearful of.”
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin outlined how Labour considered that there would be €10.1bn net in fiscal space or extra spending available to the next government.
He said there was potential for that amount to be much larger, but that would depend on tax and economic policies.
Ms Burton at one stage responded that she would no longer use the term ‘fiscal space’. “It’s a new kind of F word,” she said.
Mr Howlin said that the party would during the campaign address proposals by Fine Gael for a ‘rainy day fund’ or an emergency fund. Finance Minister Michael Noonan says that a possible fund of €2.5bn, while not specifically ring-fenced, could be useful if there is an economic shock.
Mr Howlin though did not go that far. Instead, the minister said: “A buffer would be a good idea if we could afford it. But there are many issues crying out for funding.”
Labour are expected to launch their full election manifesto next week.
Ms Burton also targeted Fianna Fáil during her address yesterday, saying that voters would not believe their comments or forget their actions in power.
“We have spent the last five years dealing with the mess left behind by Fianna Fáil — the very people who now have the brass neck to criticise us for cleaning up after them. We will fight for every vote in the next three weeks.”
While admitting that there were different views between Labour and Fine Gael as they both bid to return as a coalition again, Ms Burton claimed her party was focused also on what she called a social progress in addition to an economic recovery.
“And social progress. Marriage equality, legislating for the X case, and enhancing children’s rights,” said Ms Burton.
“On all of these issues and many more, the Labour Party has worked tirelessly with our partners in Government.”
Ms Burton, also claimed that Labour, despite being attacked for reneging on promises after the last general election, would ensure there would be a stable economy if returned to power.
“This is not a time to take risks,” she said. “It’s a time for caution and care. A time to hold with the course that has brought us so far down the road to recovery. Labour will continue to put sound management of the public finances first and foremost.”
Labour will launch its rural economic plan today.
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