Labour criticises Budget 'propaganda'

LABOUR social protection spokeswoman Róisín Shortall has launched a scathing attack on the Department of Finance, warning that public servants need to be clear “that there is a difference between Fianna Fáil and the State”.

Ms Shortall described as “a disgrace” the factsheet the department produced on the Budget changes, claiming it was a piece of political propaganda.

But Minister of State for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary rejected the criticism and said it was a Government, rather than official departmental, document.

He told the Dublin North West TD: “I have been asked by officials to clarify this point. The document was approved by the Minister and reflects Government decisions on budgetary measures. It is not an official Department of Finance document.”

But Ms Shortall said: “It normally is. It normally contains facts, not political propaganda”. Each year, the Departments of Social Protection and Finance produce factsheets about the financial changes the budget introduces.

Ms Shortall said “all of the politics is contained in the Budget speech of the Minister for Finance and then we receive the factsheets and find out what exactly is the situation”.

She said “what is supposed to be a factsheet” was “a disgrace. No longer is it a factsheet, it is a piece of propaganda. It is political propaganda.” She added: “There is a difference between the State and Fianna Fáil and everybody needs to be clear about this, particularly our public servants”. If “we are promised a factsheet, it should be a factsheet and it should not contain propaganda such as stating that the State cannot afford the current level of social provision. This is a political statement”.

Paul Gogarty (Green, Dublin Mid West) interrupted and said “not with the €20 billion deficit, it’s not”.

Ms Shortall said: “It’s not a statement of fact; it is a political statement. It also states that taxpayers must contribute according to their means, so those who can pay most will pay most. Again, this is a political statement. It is propaganda.”

Mr Calleary told her that it was not an official departmental document and referred her to the Department of Social Protection document, “which was issued in the traditional format on Tuesday night with just facts. That document is still available to provide information”.