Adams accuses Kenny of U-turns over bailout

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny indicated that the Government would introduce legislation to reverse the cut in the minimum wage.

He said that while it could be done by way of ministerial order, the Government’s advice was it was best to use primary legislation because it might be challenged.

“However, the minimum wage is not the only issue that arises and restrictions on employers and the freeing up of the labour market will be addressed in conjunction with it,” he added.

Accusing the Government of engaging in U-turns, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams asked how the Taoiseach continued to lumber the Irish people with a colossal debt to reinforce the EU- IMF deal. They needed to know who was going to pay, he said.

“Is it going to be the rich, those who earn over €100,000 – I know that does not mean rich – or those in respect of whom we can introduce a new third tax band?” Mr Adams added.

“Is it going to be low- and middle-income earning families or the 500,000 people who are on the dole?” Mr Adams asked if it would be the people on social welfare and all “the small people” who elected the Taoiseach to bring about change.

“He is doing exactly the same as the crowd on my left (FF) when it was in government, but the Irish people sorted that party out,” he added.

Mr Kenny said the Government’s programme was in three parts: growth, jobs initiatives and a comprehensive review of how money was spent. In respect of its European position, the Government had already set out its view that there should be an interest rate reduction, he said.

The Taoiseach added that the best antidote to unemployment was a job and the opportunity to have a career and that was where the Government was focused.

He said the budgetary presentations made by Fine Gael last year proposed to protect the blind, children, disabled and pensioners. Pearse Doherty (SF) said the Government had not reversed even one of the cuts.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan remarked: “We have not introduced a budget yet.”