THE ECONOMY AND JOBS | DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER IN WATERFORD, CARLOW AND KILKENNY

Martin McGuinness meets community leaders about jobs in the South-East

Martin McGuinness’s visit garnered a lot of media attention about jobs and investment

MARTIN McGUINNESS, the Sinn Féin deputy First Minister, has completed a series of high-profile and well-received engagements with trade unions, workers, employers, councils, mayors, and development and community groups throughout the South-East, talking to people at the coalface of the recession Sinn Féin’s message on job protection and creation.
The senior Sinn Féin figure’s visit took in Counties Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny.
Martin McGuinness was in Waterford at the invitation of Sinn Féin by-election candidate Councillor David Cullinane.
The Mayor of Waterford City, Councillor Mary Roche, hosted a mayoral reception ahead of a visit to the new House of Waterford Crystal.
Martin McGuinness said:
“Unemployment is a major problem in the South-East with the standardised unemployment rate at over 16%. I commend the efforts of local people and civic leaders who are trying to create enterprise opportunities.”
Of his visit to the new House of Waterford Crystal, he said:
“I was saddened when I first heard the Kilbarry plant was to close and Waterford and Ireland faced losing an iconic brand. My heart went out to all the workers and I was moved by their courage when I saw the images on television of the workers engaged in a sit-in.
“Today we have a different situation. I want to commend all of those who were part of the exciting House of Waterford Crystal venture. The new building looks fantastic. It was a remarkable effort by a lot of people to bring Waterford Crystal manufacturing into the heart of the city. I hope that those former workers who are without jobs are supported and find new employment.
“The collective effort of Waterford City Council, trade union and business leaders to back this plan is a shining example of what can be achieved.”
The former Education Minister in the Six Counties also repeated Sinn Féin’s support for university status for the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
“The last time I was in Waterford I visited WIT and I was impressed by its range of courses, the significant investment in the IT in recent years and its excellence in key areas in research and development.
“I think university status for WIT would represent a tremendous boost to the entire region. It’s crazy that a region with the population of nearly 500,000 people is without a university. University designation would lift the region economically, socially and culturally. And the amazing thing is that it would cost very little to do so.”
Martin McGuinness articulated Sinn Féin’s plan to get people back to work.
“We have a plan to get people back to work. We have called for a national jobs subsidy scheme, a new national development plan which front-loads critical infrastructure, a school-building programme, a road-building programme and a plan to stimulate the economy.
“The Government’s focus is on bailing out the banks - our focus is on bailing out ordinary people.
“The people who are out of work need jobs and the Government have a responsibility to create an environment in which jobs can be created.”
And where is the money going to come from?
“More than €40billion has been put into the banks. A fraction of this money could and should have been spent on a jobs plan.
“We have also shown how money can be saved and raised by the Government. We want to see the introduction of a 1% wealth tax, an increase in Capital Gains Tax, a third rate of tax at 48% on incomes over €100,000, a standardising of all tax relief measures, and a cap in public sector pay of €100,000 a year.
“There is a lot the Government can do.”
The deputy First Minister said that the cross-sector approach in Waterford is needed in Carlow to bring sugar beet production back there.
“I commend the Sinn Féin initiative to restore the sugar beet  industry in the county.
“A recent meeting organised by Kilkenny and Carlow Councillors Kathleen Funchion and John Cassin drew cross-party and community support. Politicians, farmers, business leaders, former workers, the unemployed and community representatives need to work together to support this initiative.
“We need to support the development of indigenous and sustainable industries and small to medium enterprises. We need to play to our strengths and offer genuine opportunities for young people.”
A civic reception held by Carlow Town Council gave Martin McGuinness the opportunity to discuss with key figures the practical needs and proposals for the county and its neighbours.
Endorsing Carlow Town Council’s motion calling on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to establish a Jobs Creation Task Force for the South-East region, the Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster MP said:
“Government has a responsibility to respond to the needs of the people and local government can play a leading role in persuading the national government to listen to what people in their local community are saying.
“The biggest social issues facing the town and county of Carlow come from the fall-out of the recession - unemployment, factory closures, wage cuts, negative equity, emigration and a social housing crisis.
“There are nearly 7,000 people on the live register in Carlow, in a county of less than 50,000 people. This is a deplorable situation but the focus now needs to be on the urgent task of finding ways to create employment for people or finding appropriate training programmes.
“There can be no recovery in this country without job creation. People cannot spend money and pay taxes if they do not have jobs and job security.”