FG alone in government would be a ‘disservice’

Labour leader and Tánaiste Joan Burton has said that a single-party Fine Gael government would lack balance and be a "disservice to people".

Ms Burton said there would be an imbalance in the emphasis on the social recovery compared to the economic recovery in such an eventuality, arguing that Fine Gael would be driven to protect the wealthiest in society without the Labour Party.

“I think inevitably there will be siren voices to Fine Gael which would emphasise that the people who are wealth creators on a significant scale deserve the most consideration in relation to whatever scope there is for tax reductions. I think while that is a political point there is also a practical point.”

The Tánaiste said the Labour Party wanted a thriving economy, but also decent conditions and social investment.

“I think the country would do much better with a balance which brought together both the knowledge and skills of people on the centre-left like the Labour Party and people on the centre-right as in Fine Gael,” Ms Burton said.

Balance

“I think in that discussion as to how you grow and develop a modern economy and aim to have a society in which children can thrive and in which you have a strong balance between investment and tax reform and tax rebalancing, I think both parties bring an amount to the table. To have it only from a centre-right prospective in my view would be a disservice to people.”

The latest Sunday Business Post/Red C tracking poll shows support for Fine Gael has risen one point to 32 per cent.

The Labour Party’s support has increased by two points to 9 per cent, while Sinn Féin is up one point to 19 per cent.

In an interview with The Irish Times, Minister of State for Justice Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said he would not like to live in a country led by a Fine Gael government.

Social justice

The Labour TD said issues of social justice would be neglected by the coalition partner.

“It would not be good for this country,”

Mr Ó Ríordáin said. “Certainly issues of low pay, issues of social justice, issues of marginalised people, any progressive social agenda would be relegated, and issues of economy would take precedence over issues of society.

“I don’t think there is where we need to be. What we need is not a government which is intent on reducing the State and intent on tax cuts at any cost.

“What we want is a balanced government that has reductions in tax for low and middle earners but that asks high earners to contribute in order to have sustainable public services. I wouldn’t like to live in a country that has an overall Fine Gael majority.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has revealed plans to lower income tax in line the United States and Britain.

Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath described the pledge as an election “gimmick” designed to mislead voters.

“The fact of the matter is that US rates of income tax means US levels of public services in which people out of work are forced to rely on food stamps, where there is persistent pensioner poverty and a health service which is unaffordable and utterly inaccessible to millions.

“If this is Mr Kenny’s vision of Ireland, then he needs to come clean and admit it. I don’t believe it is a vision shared by the majority of Irish people.”