Micheál Martin’s phoney class war deeply condescending – Corcoran Kennedy

Micheál Martin’s phoney class war deeply condescending –Corcoran Kennedy

Micheál Martin’s claim to represent working class voters is deeply condescending and does not reflect his true record, Fine Gael Candidate for Laois Offaly Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said today.

“It is laughable that the party which slashed the minimum wage, introduced the USC, cut social welfare by €16 a week and child benefit by €26 a week, closed Templemore garda training college and wrecked the economy to the point where 20% of private sector jobs were lost, is now claiming to help the working man or woman. Unbelievable.

“They cut the minimum wage to €7.65 when they were last in office, placing the burden of the economic crash on the least well off and most vulnerable workers.

“Micheál Martin soldiered shoulder to shoulder with Charlie Haughey, Pádraig Flynn, Ray Burke and Bertie Ahern. These are the people he has been surrounded by for decades.

“You can’t decide your parents but you can pick who you support in politics.

“Fine Gael is a broad church of people from every background, honoured to serve the people and improve the lot for all in every sector,” she said.

Deputy Corcan Kennedy pointed out how Fianna Fáil promise everything to everyone in their desperate election bid.

“Fianna Fáil are simply playing lip service to the needs of carers, some of the hardest working people in the country, and people with disabilities. They are only committing to top up payments by just €10 over five years. Under FG’s plan, carers will be €1,300 a year better off – in stark contrast to the €520 offered by Fianna Fáil who are happy to leave carers €780 worse off.

In contrast, Fine Gael in government have:

• Got Ireland back working. Approx 460,000 new jobs have been created since 2012.
• Increased the minimum wage 6 times. Ireland now has the third highest hourly National Minimum wage rate in the European Union.
• Expanded the number of schools in disadvantaged areas getting extra supports. DEIS programme expanded to 79 new schools.
• Cut tax – both USC and income tax for working families.
• 10,000 social housing built in 2019. This year, we will build more social homes than were built in any of the last 20 years.
• Increased all social welfare supports by €15 per week.
• Increased child benefit by €10 per week. Introduced universal childcare scheme.
• Hired over 1,800 new Gardaí.
• Ended net emigration in 2015.

“Michael Martin now claiming to be the man of the working people is a joke.

“It is disappointing that Fianna Fáil continue to fail to acknowledge their reckless legacy which destroyed the country.

“Fine Gael in contrast, have created jobs and invested in supports for those that need it. We know it’s not enough. If elected, we will prioritise balanced regional development and ensure we invest where it’s needed most.” Marcella Corcoran Kennedy concluded.