Sinn Féin has announced details of
the party's annual think-in, before the resumption of the Dáil on 18
September. It will take place next Friday, 6 September 2013 in Carlingford, Co
Louth.
Announcing details of the event, Sinn
Féin finance spokesperson and TD for Donegal South West, Pearse Doherty said:
"Between now and Budget Day,
Sinn Fein will focus on increasing pressure on the government to ensure that
fairness is at the core of Budget 2014.
"Sinn Féin will use its position
in the Dáil to defend struggling families. By providing alternatives Sinn
Féin has shown we are a constructive opposition.
"We will not oppose merely
for the sake of opposition. We will judge issues on their merits – as we
did on the Children’s Referendum and now in the referendum on the Seanad
"Last year’s budget failed the
fairness test. Households are struggling under the burden of the property tax,
rising household bills and in many cases a fall in income due to the loss of
employment or reduced hours or wages.
"The Fine Gael-Labour government
is killing the economy by continuing to take money off families which they
would otherwise spend in the local economy.
"For others the withdrawal of
services such as respite care is causing huge hardship. Sinn Féin will
provide real political leadership in the new Dáil term.
“We will not allow this government to
get away with targeting ordinary people while doing nothing to tackle issues
such as the relentless tide of emigration from Ireland and the plight of those
families in mortgage distress.
"Key issues to be discussed at
next Friday's think-in include discussion around finalising Sinn Féin's
alternative budget, particularly looking at how the burden on struggling
families can be reduced.
"We will show how the property
tax can be abolished, how we can deal with the costs of education and the
position of carers and those with disabilities who are having services
withdrawn.
"The think-in will also discuss
Irish unity, national reconciliation and dealing with the legacy of conflict.
"Invited guests
include Basil McCrea and John McCallister of new unionist party, NI21 who
will speak about their own perspectives on these issues.
"An update on Sinn Féin's campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum
on the Seanad will be given and we will discuss Sinn Féin's preparations
for local and EU elections next year.
Sinn Féin Mountmellick - Serving The Community
I do agree that the Seaned needs reforming /7 that the general public need greater representation within that establishment.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that it should be abolished altogether for that would not serve tp preserve democracy.