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# professional agitators
Brendan Howlin thinks left-wing parties "thrive in chaos"
…and if those rumours of an €800 windfall for public servants are true.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND Reform Minister Brendan Howlin stopped by for a High Table Interview today.
You can watch some of our wide-ranging interview below.
Here’s what we learned, aside from the fact he’s got moves:
The minister is “really proud” of Labour and what they have achieved in office – recently launching 5 Days 5 Ways to highlight the party’s “record on reform”.
Howlin told us ultra-left parties and politicians are “professional agitators” who “thrive in chaos”.
He knows they’re becoming more popular – due in part to the public being angry at the government after years of austerity – but thinks people “are rational when they come to vote” and won’t necessarily support these groups on election day.
Watch Howlin describe why he feels Labour is a better option than Sinn Féin, and if he thinks Gerry Adams could be Taoiseach:
The Irish Times reported this morning that public servants are in for an €800 windfall after years of cutbacks, ahead of next week’s talks on pay restoration.
Is this figure in the right ball park?
We also asked Howlin about the controversial remarks made by Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who said some unemployed people are “allergic to work”.
Does he agree?
Finally, watch Howlin discuss why he’s nervous about the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum:
He said he’ll likely be voting No in the presidential age referendum, by the way – as he has “real doubts” about a 21-year-old running for president.
There’ll be more from our interview with Howlin over the coming days.
All videos: Paul Hosford/Órla Ryan
