Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has accused Taoiseach Enda Kenny of having nothing new to say to the Irish people.
As the flags were raised over Dublin Castle to mark the start of the EU presidency today, the Sinn Féin finance spokesperson said“As the presidency of the European Union begins, Enda Kenny has nothing new to say to the Irish people who are suffering under his government’s austerity programme.
“His fine words about hope, possibility and confidence ring hollow when we remember that last year he spoke about stability and progress and we have seen neither.
“The reality is that the economy is stagnant, we cannot afford to pay the banking debts and our young people are leaving in droves to find work abroad.”
He added that just weeks ago Minister Pat Rabbitte said we would not pay the €3.5 billion promissory note in March, while today European affairs junior minister, Lucinda Creighton, rowed back and admitted that the government has still to negotiate a deal with the European Central Bank.
“We need the government to stand up for the people and say that we cannot take any more, but there is little sign from this coalition of the strength and resolve necessary.”