Fine Gael slur on unemployed 'straight out of Thatcher's playbook'

COMMENTS by Finance Minister Michael Noonan that some unemployed people are "allergic to work" have been branded as a "disgraceful slur" by Sinn Féin Councillor Kathleen Funchion.

Kathleen Funchion, who is a worker's rights advocate for SIPTU as well as Sinn Féin's candidate for the Carlow/Kilkenny by-election, described Noonan's remarks during an address to Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce as being "straight out of the Margaret Thatcher playbook":

"His comments represent a disgraceful slur on unemployed people in this state. The Minister's words provide a sharp insight into the arrogance at the heart of this government and its contempt for ordinary people," she said.

Councillor Funchion said the vast majority of unemployed people want to work – and noted that many are being forced to emigrate, take up low-paid and precarious work or join schemes such as JobBridge which are solely aimed at massaging unemployment figures.

She also accused the Fine Gael and Labour Government of pursuing a policy of dividing ordinary people against each other:

"He wants those who are working to resent those who are unemployed," she said.

Describing Noonan, who has been a TD since 1981, as a "career politician" and noting his exorbitant salary, she said:

"It seems that Minister Noonan hasn't the first clue about what it has been like for the long-term unemployed as his government has with one hand smothered the economy and delivered crushing austerity and cuts with the other. It is hardly surprising given that this is a man who has described the scourge of emigration as lifestyle choice."

She also called on the Fine Gael by-election candidate in the area, David Fitzgerald, to outline whether he agrees with Noonan's comments.