CALL FOR REFERENDUM ON IMF- EU BAILOUT

We need a referendum on the IMF-EU bailout so that the people can democratically reject it. We need to end the absurd state guarantee to repay the debts of private bankers, said Donegal Independent T.D. Thomas Pringle, a patron of the Peoples Movement, when he addressed those attending the People First annual Easter 1916 Commemoration Ceremony in Sligo on Easter Sunday.

Led by flag-bearers carrying the Tri-colour and the Plough and the Stars, a large number of participants marched from Cairns Drive to the Republican Plot in Sligo cemetery to hear Deputy Pringle deliver the oration.

“The IMF-EU deal is a scandalous plan to force ordinary working people, the poor and the vulnerable in our society to pay the private gambling debts’ of German, French and British banks.” said Deputy Pringle.

“If Fine Gael and Labour are permitted to continue with this disastrous policy the country will be bankrupted for decades to come.

“The majority of Irish people are opposed to the bank bail-out and EU-IMF deal but have been denied a say on the matter.  We now need a referendum on the IMF-EU bailout so that the people can democratically reject it.” Deputy Pringle said.

Sligo councillor Declan Bree, who presided at the ceremony told those attending “Before the election Fine Gael and Labour gave clear indications that they would abandon Fianna Fail’s policy of bailing out the banks at all costs and suggested that they would force the burden of the banking crisis onto the shoulders of the speculators and the bondholders who caused the crisis in the first place.  

“Labour and Fine Gael went as far as calling it economic treason.  Now they are doing exactly the same thing.   But they are not just guilty of economic treason, they are guilty of political treason for deceiving the Irish electorate in the run up to the election.” said Cllr Bree.

Following the oration as a lone piper played a lament, Mr Ross Gildea laid a wreath on behalf of People First, Ms Laura Scanlon laid a wreath on behalf of the Connolly Forum and Mr Thomas Banks laid a floral tribute on behalf of the People’s Movement.   The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.