“Fianna Fail desperately trying to re-invent themselves” Says Bree

Independent candidate Declan Bree has claimed that Fianna Fail candidates are desperately trying to re-invent themselves and he has urged voters to reject all parties who are signed up to the 'consensus for cuts'.  Speaking this week Cllr. Bree stated that one of his main priorities if elected would be to fight for the reversal of all cuts that effect low and middle-income earners.  This would include the reversal of all reductions in wages and welfare payments. 

Cllr. Bree said: "Fianna Fail are desperately trying to re-invent themselves in advance of this election. The reality is that their new leader Micheál Martin has sat at the cabinet table for the last 14 years and has directly supported the policies of Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.   Likewise, local Fianna Fail Oireachtas members Jimmy Devins, Marc McSharry and Eamon Scanlon have also overseen the bail-out of bankers with taxpayers money, savage cuts to wages and social welfare as well as the removal of the cancer services from Sligo General Hospital.

"Unfortunately, the so-called opposition parties Fine Gael and Labour have also signed up to the consensus for cuts.  They are content to see the burden of debt incurred by reckless banks and bondholders being brought to bear on ordinary Irish citizens who had nothing to do with this crisis.  Like Fianna Fail they are signed up to a consensus for cuts. Labour want to take €4.5 billion out of the economy and cut thousands of jobs and Fine Gael want to take €6 billion out of the economy and cut even more jobs.  There are no tangible policy differences between these two parties and Fianna Fail.  Austerity and taking money out of the real economy will not turn this country around; it will only serve to take money out of the pockets of people who are already struggling.  This is not only completely immoral, it makes no economic sense.  Taking money from low-income earners who spend what they earn in the real economy will cause more shops and businesses to close and that means even more unemployment. 

"It's time we moved away from failed Fianna Fail policies and those who believe cutting wages, jobs and social welfare will solve our problems. If elected, I will do all in my power to fight against these austerity measures and to ensure the blame for this crisis is put firmly where it belongs, with the bankers and speculators whose gambling has destroyed the economy." said Cllr Bree.