Kenny pledges to tackle unemployment
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny tonight pledged to lift the nation off its knees and get people back into work.
In a presidential address at the party’s national conference, Mr Kenny outlined his proposals to revive the economy, reform the health service and shake up the political system.
The opposition leader said he was determined to take 70,000 people off the dole within 18 months through education schemes and jobs subsidy plans.
“This tide of emigration has started to flow again. I am determined to stem that tide,” he said.
“The focus is on jobs for the people – not jobs for the boys.”
During the speech, which was broadcast live from Killarney, delegates heard their leader’s plans for economic recovery through lower prices and a focus on exports and competitiveness.
Mr Kenny vowed to revolutionise the health service by replicating the Dutch medical system, putting an end to waiting lists and having hospitals run by local trusts.
The Fine Gael chief also claimed if elected he would reform the political system with a smaller Dáil and more women in politics.
And Mr Kenny said no more money would be borrowed to bail out the now nationalised Anglo Irish Bank if he were in power.
“We will use that money to start a new State National Recovery Bank. It will get credit flowing quickly to protect jobs and support business,” he added.
“We will carry out a rigorous and open investigation to find out exactly why the banking scandal happened.
“We will hold people responsible, even if they are ministers. We will open the books.”
Mr Kenny insisted Fine Gael had the economic talent, ideas and honesty the country needed.
“Our task is to lift a proud nation off its knees, to put willing hands to work, to make this country stand – as it should always stand – for the best,” he said.
“The Celtic Tiger may be dead, but the Celtic Spirit is alive and well and ready to fight.”
Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said Fine Gael was against policies which were vital to economic recovery.
“Enda Kenny and his colleagues confirmed that Fine Gael will not abide by Ireland’s agreement with the EU for controlling borrowing – a policy which would immediately drive up borrowing costs if it were implemented,” the minister said.
“Over the last year the tough action to control borrowing has been central to bringing down the cost of financing the national debt and Ireland is being widely praised for being serious about tackling its problems.”
Mr Martin claimed the opposition party’s policies would destroy the country’s progress.
“They are only interested in political posturing rather than offering a real plan for Ireland’s future,” he added.
