All-party criticism of Government

PARTY rivalries were set aside to a certain extent as Shannon Town Council unanimously passed a motion calling on the Government “to review its approach to resolving the country’s financial situation insofar as it is unfairly impacting on the most vulnerable in our society”.

The council consists of four Fine Gael councillors, two from the Labour Party and three independents.
It was one of those independents, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, who proposed the motion. However, there was plenty of criticism from members of Fine Gael and Labour also.

She said that while many may be blamed for the collapse of the Irish economy, including developers and bankers, “one crowd who you couldn’t blame are those most in need and most vulnerable in our society”.
Councillor McCarthy said it is unfair that those who are vulnerable should be penalised in order to improve Ireland’s finances. While she said there is a reluctance to tackle some sections of society, there doesn’t seem to be any problem with hitting those least well-off.

“We can touch the sick, people with disabilities, those who care for them and it doesn’t seem to cost an iota of a thought and I don’t think that is right.”

Councillor Gerry Flynn backed the motion and slammed the two Government parties, saying they have “battered” the people. He also claimed the Labour Party doesn’t seem to have any conscience these days, while he said Fine Gael “always wanted a corporate State”.

Councillor Flynn claimed “democracy and Fine Gael are not good partners at all” and said the party isn’t interested in “protecting the weak and vulnerable”.

Labour’s Tony McMahon was the first member of one of the Government parties to speak and he acknowledged he is “very disappointed” with aspects of his party’s performance.

“I think we are in a state now where the poor and underprivileged are battered to no end and where there is no semblance of social justice.”

He claimed he was “disgusted” with comments made by Minister Pat Rabbitte about a lack of sincerity behind election promises.

Councillor McMahon said the Government can’t put the blame for all the unpopular measures on Europe, as while they receive guidelines, they are not forced to “not tax people on over €100,000 and to put the burden on people on social welfare, carers and people on very low incomes”.

His party colleague, Greg Duff, was also critical of Minister Rabbitte. He said that “only the most right wing” could be comfortable with what has been happening.

While Fine Gael councillor Sean McLoughlin was critical of some moves made by Government, he said he is hopeful that full sovereignty will be restored within another year.

He also said he took exception to remarks made by Councillor Flynn about Fine Gael not being democratic.

“Maybe he left the party because he was defeated so many times in the branch,” he quipped.

His party colleague, Mary Brennan, said it is disgraceful that the vulnerable are always hit and regardless of her party affiliation, she fully supported the motion.

Another Fine Gael representative, Vincent Coleman, said a lot of mistakes have been made and that many of the wrong people have been targeted.