Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has expanded on his landmark apology at the party’s ard fheis last night, and outlined where the party went wrong in government.
Martin said the party’s main failings had been in its economic policies and its failure to ensure that financial institutions were being properly regulated.
However, he refused to condemn the 2008 bank guarantee, saying that it may have been imperfect but was the right idea in principle.
The Fianna Fáil leader also said that he had not met former leader and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who made a widely-publicised appearance at the ard fheis yesterday.
“I didn’t meet with Bertie Ahern yesterday,” Martin told RTÉ’s This Week. “I had a very busy day yesterday attending various sessions, and doing interviews with media.”
On the party’s economic policies during the boom, Martin said that they had been “pro-cyclical.” He said Fianna Fáil had been:
Spending too much in terms of public expenditure, reducing the tax base too much, and relying too much on transient taxes which made us particularly vulnerable when the major world shock came and hit us.
He also admitted failures in the financial regulatory regime. “It was an independent regulatory structure, but we didn’t police that enough,” he said.
It’s the old story of who guards the guards, and we didn’t have a sufficient provision in place. And we have to take responsibility for that – we were in government.
Asked about the controversial 2008 bank guarantee, Martin said: “The jury’s still out.” He acknowledged that the guarantee had perhaps gone too far, but said it was still the right idea in principle.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I returned home 2 months a go after 2 years in Brazil having never been on the dole before. Now 8 weeks later I’m at my wits end, I have started two jobs since I got home only to end up loosing the as I stood up to my employers for the lack of breaks. I recently worked for a push bike courier and worked 9 hours straight,when asked about lunch I was told it was too busy. There are lazy people out there but employers seem to be able to do as they wish at times.
Unfortunately the idea of “you have a job, you should be grateful ” over the last few years has given alot of employers the attitude that employees should and will take any conditions and crap that’s thrun at them and because so many people are sinking into poverty and are barely keeping their heads above water even though they are working they feel they have no other option but to put up and shut up. It’s a vicious circle.
Have you at any point considered turning to crime or drug abuse as a result of these problems?
I was unemployed for a number of months before I emigrated and not once was this a consideration of mine.
I’m not really sure why we’re constantly being told that “lack of support” of various different types is the cause of drug use and crime. I had little support, aside from Social Welfare, while I was unemployed and managed to get my ass out of the country and a new job without starting on heroin and mugging old ladies.
Where is the support for the retired Irish mother with a husband who hasn’t worked since 2009 and is getting by on state pensions and missing the support (emotional and financial) of her adult children who have all had to emigrate, or are unemployed themselves? Nope, not a word about that – it’s *always* inner city Dublin.
Also, I’m not entirely sure how quantifiable answers to questions such as “how is the recession, and Government policy, affecting your life?” actually are and how from this they can conclude the “greatest impact of the crisis and austerity measures has been felt by people who are on the lowest incomes and most dependent on state supports and services,” Surely these are subjective?
Similarly, communities like Fatima Mansions are much easier to provide services to than, say, dispersed rural communities. The fact that the have “community workers” to speak up (be they paid or voluntary) is something. Who speaks on behalf of the many thousands of people outside inner city Dublin who aren’t mentioned in the article?
There is much food for thought in your well considered comment. Kudos.
Time for the Irish people to stand up for themselves.
Pete
Dont be silly the Irish are lap dogs. Never protest, never stand up, just take it time and time again
Sad but very true :(
It’s all the fluoride In the water,makes them dolicile.Its banned everywhere in Europe.
Bullshit
The politicians are not going to stand up for anyone. They are too busy slurping at the trough with their newly appointed consultants. Why don’t these community groups demand free electricity and water for low income families and individuals? Are they so mired in corruption that they are unable to propose some simple solutions? And before the shareholders of Ireland Inc. start gnashing their teeth, and asking who will pay for it. The answer is, the Utility corporations can easily afford to take a small dip in profits.
You shut your mouth, put on some clothes, get down them stairs and get out & get a bleedin job for yourself (Dessie Curly)
Can’t find the full report online, does anyone have a link?
have your say