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Derek McDowell
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The Labour party have challenged the Government and Fine Gael to show how they intend to pay for health service improvements. "The time for platitudes and crocodile tears is over. It's time for the other parties to show the colour of their money," finance spokesman Mr Derek McDowell told a party conference today.
Mr McDowell said new revenue sources to pay for health, social welfare and infrastructural improvements needed to be identified and the party will clarify their plans on spending in the coming weeks. But he pledged that income taxes would not be raised and that the party "will honour our deal with business in relation to corporation tax" if returned to government after the next general election.
"There is no such thing and something for nothing and the public know that well. They know you cannot build roads without money. They know that you will not get a better health service without increased resources. They know that schools do not repair themselves. They know that creches do not grow on trees," Mr McDowell said.
Mr McDowell referred to the Tanaiste, Ms Harney's, vision of an Irish economic model closer to Boston than Berlin. He said the Government subscribed to this ideal which meant "inadequate investment and to hell with the consequences".
He said the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is "treating people as fools" by promising the "sun, moon and stars costing billions of euros" while also claiming there could be no return to Government borrowing.
He cited health as an example of the Government "taking out of both sides of their mouths". "The Minster for Health announces new facilities and the Minister for Finance makes it clear he has no intention of meeting the bill," Mr McDowell said.
"If Fianna Fail and the PDs line up behind this model then Fine Gael is at risk of falling into the mid-Atlantic," he said.
He said the party would provide free GP care, access to childcare for all parents and teachers who would teach rather than wonder" how minor repairs will be carried out.
He also pledged to set the lowest social welfare payments at 30 per cent of gross average industrial earnings.