Fine Gael TD boasts on 1913 Lockout anniversary of slashing 25,000 jobs

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

25,000 more workers made unemployed is a record Fine Gael thinks is an aspiration worth boasting about on the 1913 Lockout anniversary

AS LABOUR LEADER Eamon Gilmore, his ministers and TDs were getting ready to be seen at the 1913 Lockout centenary commemoration in Dublin last Saturday, Fine Gael were boasting about how many jobs and services they have slashed in government – with Eamon Gilmore and the Labour Party.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy Paudie Coffey said on Friday on the FG Head Office website that, since 2010, the Government has axed more than 15,000 public sector jobs.

This, Paudie proudly proclaims, “is a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to reforming how we conduct our business” – that’s the Labour/Fine Gael Government, of course.

Deputy Coffey also warned that the Labour/Fine Gael Government’s plan to cut even more public sector workers’ livelihoods “is on track to meet its targets”.

“The Government has committed to reducing public sector numbers by between 18,000 to 21,000 by the end of 2014, with a further 4,000 to be reduced by the end of 2015,” Fine Gael threatened on its website.

So, 25,000 more workers made unemployed – and a consequent reduction in services – is a record Fine Gael thinks is an aspiration worth boasting about on the anniversary of the 1913 Lockout.

Hardly what Jim Larkin and the 1913 trade unions had in mind but leading Labour figures at the Lockout event with Eamon Gilmore – Ministers Ruairí Quinn and Pat Rabbitte and Dublin Mayor Oisín Quinn (along with Fine Gael Minister Jimmy Deenihan) – obviously do today.

If they don’t, they can let us know.