Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has expressed confidence that by this time next year Ireland will be about to exit from the troika bailout programme and on its way to economic recovery.
Speaking at the end of his parliamentary party’s two-day “think-in” at Maynooth, Co Kildare, he said: “There are still difficult days ahead but we are determined to get through them, for this country to recover, and for people to be back at work.”
He was confident that Labour’s backbenchers would stay united behind his leadership on the difficult decisions ahead: “We have a great team of TDs, Senators and MEPs.”
However, he said it was “disappointing” that three Labour Senators had absented themselves from the party “think-in” on the basis that it was being held in a luxury hotel although Mr Gilmore said the party was given a good rate for the use of conference facilities there.
“We were all here today and yesterday to discuss the problems that are facing the country. These are problems that affect the people from the constituencies of the people who stayed away just as they affect the constituencies of the people who are here.”
The Labour gathering was briefed by Fine Gael Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald on the forthcoming children’s rights referendum.
“We are ready to pursue that campaign and we will campaign vigorously on that referendum when it is launched,” Mr Gilmore said.
Welcoming the ratification of the European Stability Mechanism by the German Constitutional Court, he said: “I think that’s a very positive decision.”
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin said: “Obviously it’s a very welcome decision from Karlsruhe. It, I suppose, is the last obstacle for the ratification of the ESM, an important part of the recovery architecture.”
Labour’s think-in ended as a 25-strong group of grassroots activists announced plans to lobby left wing politicians to fight the party’s support for cuts in spending.
The Government will continue to honour the terms of the Croke Park agreement, as long as the unions implement their side of the bargain, Mr Gilmore said earlier.
The Labour Party leader said the agreement on public sector pay and reform contains a “considerable degree” of flexibility regarding working arrangements and, in particular, the provision of cover for those that have left the public service.
“What the Croke Park agreement is about is about saying to [public service workers] that pay will not be cut further for a period of time, provided there is co-operation first of all with the reduction in the numbers who are employed and secondly with getting the work done," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
Echoing comments made yesterday by Taoiseach Enda Kenny that the Government is determined to implement the agreement in full, Mr Gilmore said there would be no “unilateral” withdrawal from the agreement.
“This is about an agreement. If you make an agreement, you keep the agreement. And, there is a good reason for that. Because if you break an agreement – the people you make it with are unlikely to reach agreement with you again.”
The agreement could be looked at “mid-term”, Mr Gilmore said, adding that the Government keeps it under review “all of the time”.
Mr Gilmore said the Government’s objectives of a reduction in the public service pay bill and reform of the public service would have to be done in co-operation with the unions.
“The objective is, is that we get more out of our public services for less, reduced numbers of people and a better quality public service. That is a big challenge," he said. “That is something that is very difficult to achieve and you won’t achieve it by conflict, you won’t achieve it by confrontation, you achieve it by co-operation. It’s what any sensible employer would do.”
Asked about the Government’s view on the introduction of same-sex marriage, Mr Gilmore said the matter was being referred to the constitutional convention. He said he hoped it would report back “before 2016”.
Mr Gilmore said the Government will address the contentious issue of abortion once the contents of the report of the expert group on abortion is issued.
“That’s an issue that’s very sensitive and people have very firm views on it. There was a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights. That ruling has to be addressed by the Government. There’s an expert group that was established to look at what is required to comply with that ruling.
“When it reports we will address [it]. There is no point in trying to anticipate what recommendations they are going to make to us but when they report we will address it,” he said.
A small group of Labour grassroots members frustrated by Government cuts today also launched a campaign to promote alternatives to austerity.
Campaign for Labour Policies (CPL) is attempting to recruit as many public representatives and party activists as possible in a bid to see a five-point programme implemented.
Spokesman Paul Dillon said its policies included investing in growth and jobs, taxing the wealthy, increasing workers’ rights, repudiating debt and expanding public enterprises.
Additional reporting PA