FF in danger of blowing up economy once again with spending promises that don’t add up- Bruton

Minister Richard Bruton has today (Monday) said that Fianna Fáil, if returned to power, would be in serious danger of blowing up our economy again, as the promises that the Party is making simply do not add up.

“Now is the time for greater scrutiny on Fianna Fáil’s spending demands. Twice in my lifetime I’ve seen bad politics destroy a strong and recovering economy. We all know their ability to spend. The real worry is how they react when the needs of the economy and their political needs clash. Already we have seen in their u-turn on the pension age, on rent freeze, what next?

“It was clear from Micheál Martin’s comments yesterday that he does not accept his party’s central role in the economic crash. If Fianna Fáil cannot accept how seriously they mismanaged the economy, they are in danger of repeating the same mistakes of the past. Brexit, global trade tensions and changes to the international tax regime present serious risks.

“The economy can’t be taken for granted. A fair society and strong economy are two sides of the same coin.  You can’t have one without the other.

“As the Taoiseach pointed out yesterday, we are all too aware that when Fianna Fáil gets into Government, it doesn’t end well. We have spent a large portion of the last ten years cleaning up the mess they left behind when:

• No one would lend to Ireland;
• Unemployment was approaching 16%;
• Emigration was soaring;
• Public services were being cut;
• Investment in the infrastructure we need ground to a halt.

“We remember all too well waving goodbye to friends, family, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, as they were forced to emigrate the last time Fianna Fáil was charged with responsibility for our economy. Make no mistake, they will promise all things to all people in a bid to get back into Government. They have form in this area and did just this to win a third term in 2007. Fine Gael in power has gotten our country into a space where there are more people at work than ever before, we are approaching full employment, our international reputation has been restored and our finances are back in good order, allowing us to invest in what our people need.”

ENDS