2015 off to cynical start with Government ‘commitments’ costing €3.5bn – FF Leader
Published on: 13 January 2015
Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has accused the Government of irresponsible spinning, briefing future “commitments” totalling €3.5bn, despite having delivered a budget just three months ago.
Deputy Martin was speaking ahead of the resumption of the Dáil tomorrow. He commented: “In recent weeks there has been a litany of leaks from government sources about new policy initiatives and future ‘commitments’ that would run into billions of euro. Promises to reduce the rates of USC would cost over €320m, cutting the top rate of tax would cost over €220m, a free second year of pre-school care would cost €260m, while abolishing the public sector pension levy would cost over a billion euro. The Government needs to come clean with the people on its policies for 2015.
“The budget was only announced three months ago, we’re only two weeks into the year and the Government is briefing spending initiatives left, right and centre in an attempt to set a scene for the election campaign. There is clear unease and division between Fine Gael and Labour and this is likely to increase in the weeks and months ahead.
“Fianna Fáil will continue to set out its clear policy platform through 2015 alongside the selection of candidates for the forthcoming general election. We will not be making promises we cannot keep. The people need clear and realistic choices placed before them at the next election and this will be a priority for us while we continue to hold this dysfunctional Government to account in the Dáil.”