McCreevy's failures laid bare

BY ÁINE Ní BHRIAIN

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

"This Ard Fheis deplores the seventh Budget of Inequality introduced by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy for 2004."

The message from this year's Ard Fheis couldn't have been clearer. When Charlie McCreevy introduced his seventh budget in early December of last year, Sinn Féin did not mince words. It was "a budget of inequity which does nothing to narrow the gap between the wealth and poverty,'" said TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at the time.

Not only had McCreevy failed to deliver any increase to the government's already inadequate social welfare benefits, but he and the Fianna Fáil government actually managed to cut both benefits and welfare entitlements.

Despite unprecedented resources, the budget contained no measures to address the deepening crisis in housing, education or health, and effectively attacked the most vulnerable in our society while Fianna Fáil's pals in the world of big business continued to enjoy the lifestyle of wealth and privilege to which they have become accustomed.

In short, McCreevy's budget was "an empty package" full of empty promises which favoured only the wealthy within Irish society.

Ó Caoláin spoke forcefully about the budget and the effect it has already had on the Irish people. He remarked pointedly that Fianna Fáil is "more eager to please its wealthy friends in the Galway races tent" than implement real and lasting change. The budget was merely "a device to enrich a bunch of privateers" with no benefit to the working public or the socially and economically deprived.

Echoing his outrage, several other Sinn Féin delegates also lashed the government for its lies, ineffectiveness and continuing exclusionist policies. The deregulation and privatisation of public utilities and the government's mistreatment of migrant workers all came under criticism from party representatives.

"Public utilities are the tools Sinn Féin needs to build a strong Ireland," remarked Mayo's Gerry Murray, "Deregulation and privatisation will have a negative impact on the people of this country."

"The elite in the private sector have no interest in serving deprived and rural areas."

Sinn Féin remains steadfastly opposed to the widespread use of Private Finance Initiatives. The party also opposes the proposed break up of Aer Rianta and any attempt to sell of all or part of Aer Lingus.

Representatives called on the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment to extend the minimum wage to include apprentices and over-16s and delegates commended the stance of both CIE unions, who have opposing the privatisation of Dublin Bus — and Dublin Oxigen workers, who have been on strike since September of 2003.

The Ard Fheis expressed complete opposition to the Social Partnership process and called for the retention of the Community Employment Programme, the Job Initiative Scheme and other programmes which help the unemployed and disadvantaged communities.

Additionally, Sinn Féin has demanded changes to the Migrant Worker Permit system and wants migrant workers who have resided in the 26 Counties for six months or more to have the right to vote in local elections.

The party believes workers should have access to education and language classes and that there should be a statutory agency to oversee recruitment agencies and to investigate rogue agencies who abuse workers.

"It's a question of human rights," said one delegate as he addressed the conference. "It's a question of equality."