Fianna Fail Spin & Bluster

The FF position is beneath contempt. The party that introduced, laid the road map for and drove austerity, has not suddenly found its conscience. FF have read the public, who are suffering from austerity fatigue, and because there is a plethora of ‘acceptable’ voices calling for an easing of austerity, FF is happy to seize the opportunity. Their budget submission last year was full of holes, uncosted and didn’t add up. They are a party trying to please everyone while committing to nothing. Not having to produce a budget with €3.1 billion in taxes and cuts suits them just fine this year. Nobody should be under any illusion - in Government, FF would complete the plan they introduced in 2010 with the Troika. They would not ease up on austerity. They will just say anything to get back into Government 

Padraig MacLochlainn TD

Sinn Fein’s Padraig MacLochlainn has said today’s Irish Times opinion piece from Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath is insulting to the Irish people.

Deputy MacLochlainn said:

“It is unbelievable of a Fianna Fail spokesperson to tell the government to ease up on austerity. In fact it is insulting to the intelligence of the Irish people.

“It was Fianna Fail who chose the road of austerity and defended it for years. Now, we are told they don’t believe it is the right course. They brought in the Troika and signed off on the surrender letter.

“It is equally confusing to hear Michael McGrath speak about the need for investment. He calls the government’s inaction ‘a disgrace’. This is the same Fianna Fáil that argued against progressive and realistic stimulus plans that have been put forward by Sinn Féin for years.

“Michael McGrath’s rhetoric is, as usual, short on specifics. Will he commit to scrapping the Family Home Tax like Sinn Féin has done? Struggling homeowners should not hold their breath.

“According to Deputy McGrath, a smaller adjustment could make all the difference indeed for our ‘austerity-weary citizens’ – it is a pity that Fianna Fáil didn’t feel this way when they introduced €15bn of cuts when they greedily hung to power after they had lost all credibility.

“Fianna Fail has every right to contribute to the budget debate but I call on them not to insult the Irish people’s intelligence by claiming to be against austerity.”

Sinn Féin Mountmellick – Serving The Community