Newly-elected Labour leader Joan Burton took office as Tánaiste this evening with an immediate call for a low-pay commission to examine the minimum wage and for a big social and affordable housing programme.
Ms Burton said she spoke with Taoiseach Enda Kenny by phone from the parlour of the Mansion House in Dublin after she was declared winner of the Labour leadership contest with some 77 per cent of the vote.
Mr Kenny appointed her Tánaiste at that point and they arranged to meet early next Monday to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle and the work of the Government for the remainder of its mandate.
At a press conference later in the Royal College of Physicians, Ms Burton offered no guidance as to who she would bring into Cabinet. She also made the point that her predecessor, Eamon Gilmore, was “eminently qualified” to become Ireland’s next European Commissioner.
Ms Burton told reporters that Labour had focused relentlessly on economic repair since taking power with Fine Gael and “governed perhaps too much with the head and not enough with the heart”.
Her task was to put that right by governing with “head and heart in balance” with an equal emphasis on social as well as economic repair.
“When I being talks with the Taoiseach about a renewed set of policy priorities for the Government, I will strongly make the case for a low-pay commission - an independent body to advise on the appropriate level of the minimum wage and related matters,” she said.
“By taking the politics out of low pay, we will ensure that there will be no more attacks on low-paid workers to suit the demands of the comfortable.”
Saying she also wished to broaden the tax base to put it on a sustainable foundation, Ms Burton such work would gradually allow a reform of income tax for low and middle-income workers.
“As leader, I intend to drive an ambitious programme of social and affordable housing.”
Asked whether she would open the door for former Labour TDs such as Róisín Shortall and former councillors to return to the party, Ms Burton said they could apply to rejoin but would have to follow party policy.
Ms Burton was years a critic of the Economic Management Council (EMC) at which Mr Kenny set the thrust of fiscal policy with Mr Gilmore, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin.
Asked whether she get rid of the EMC, Ms Burton said he had not made any decisions as yet but said the council should have greater input and perspective from big spending departments such as social protection, health and education.
