25/01/2016

SF Criticise Taoiseach Over Ard Fheis Speech

A speech made by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis on Saturday 23 January has been described as "an exercise in empty election promises and auction politics", by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

Criticising the Taoiseach, Mr Adams said: "It is clear that the Fine Gael leader seeks to return our society to the 'boom and bust' policies that caused so much economic and social destruction in recent years.

"The result will be a continuation of policies of inequality, destruction of public services and hardship for ordinary, working people.

"In Government, Fine Gael has presided over an unprecedented housing and homeless crisis, chaos in our hospitals, the closure of Garda stations and abandonment of rural communities.

"Mr Kenny seeks to continue a two-tier 'recovery' for high income earners, bankers and property developers.

"He wants to continue inequality and unfairness.

"Unlike Fine Gael, Sinn Féin has a vision, grounded in the republican values of 1916. We have a plan for a fair recovery that will benefit all our people equally.

"The Taoiseach is correct on one point - citizens now face a stark choice.

"That choice is between a Fine Gael-led Government which will continue unfairness and inequality or a Sinn Féin-led Government committed to a recovery for all citizens - in other words, a genuine republic.

"The Taoiseach needs to call the election now and let the people make their choice."

(MH/CD)

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