Government always one taskforce away from a decision
Filed under: Enterprise , also relevant to: Employment, Innovation, Press Release
100,000 jobs lost since task force first announced in December 2008
The Government’s ‘smart economy’ announcement is yet another example of how they are always one task force away from making a decision that would stimulate job creation. Fine Gael has again invited the Government to adopt the Party’s innovation based, €11 billion, 100,000 jobs stimulus plan in order to address an ever-worsening unemployment crisis, stated Deirdre Clune, Fine Gael Innovation Spokesperson.
The Taoiseach has stated that ‘The Ireland of the future will be smart’ when the concerns of the people is how the find or keep a job in the Ireland of the present. It is an indication of how ineffective this Government is that an announcement in December 2008 is followed by another on the same issue six months later, during which time unemployment increased by over 100,000.
In December of last year Richard Bruton said that it was impossible to build a smart economy based on dumb decisions but the Government seem not to have accepted this. Their insistence on taxing their way back to economic recovery will impede any innovation in the economy. The Government’s claim that thousands of small and medium sized businesses will be created by their plan cannot be taken seriously when commercial rents cannot be negotiated downwards and Ireland’s complete lack of competitiveness is encouraging industry to leave rather than set up here.
The Government cannot expect a country to become a centre for innovation in the face of an unemployment crisis they refuse to deal with head on. It is wishful thinking and not founded on economic reality. They have consistently failed to take steps to stimulate employment, steps that Fine Gael have pointed to as being critical to addressing unemployment, including an €11 billion, 100,000 jobs stimulus plan, reversal of VAT increases, PRSI relief to employers, a five year rates freeze and by allowing business owners to negotiate downwards the commercial rent they pay.
The IMF report stated that Ireland is ‘the most over-heated of all advanced economies’ which makes Government talk of a ‘Smart’ economy all the more fanciful. People want to work for a living not hear about Government aspirations that have no basis in the today’s economic conditions.
What did you think about this article? I would love to hear your opinion, please leave a comment below. Thank you!
Other posts you might like to read:
Tue30Jun2009
Latest News Categories
My news section includes press releases and other official material but you can view all my personal comments here:
Personal Comments >>
I have also grouped all local issues together for your convenience:
Posts on Local News >>
Get updates by email - enter your email address:
Please click the Like button below to stay in touch via FaceBook.
Latest Comments
- Cork Harbour Open Day will show off Cork's greatest assets
- Tradesmen.ie: Sounds good. Hoping to get down…
- Ireland's broadband services must improve to encourage new business
- Evert Bopp: Deirdre, This is a debate that…
- Cork elderly will benefit from Age Action's Care & Repair Scheme expansion
- Donal Heffernan: Great idea. Much need and…
- Lone parent poverty increases as maintenance payments are not met
- Sarah V Mc Menamin: I believe the present stalemate,…
- Frances Byrne: Deputy Clune Just to let…
- Yet another annual debate on future of maths is only guaranteed Leaving Cert result
- Fionnuala Kilbane, Engineers Ireland Communications Director: http://www.blip.tv/file/4021524 Hi Deirdre - have…
- Clarke’s Hill & Moneygourney Road Improvement Scheme approved

Leave a Reply