FG want freeze on everyday costs

Fine Gael today called for a temporary freeze on everyday costs such as toll charges, bus fares and the RTÉ licence fee to help recession-hit consumers.

Fine Gael today called for a temporary freeze on everyday costs such as toll charges, bus fares and the RTÉ licence fee to help recession-hit consumers.

In a bold bid to trim public spending, Opposition leader Enda Kenny also called for annual 1% savings in each Government department and for three junior ministers to be sacked.

The party also wants up to €400m released from the Government’s decentralisation programme.

Mr Kenny told his party’s parliamentary party meeting in Limerick city that the Government doesn’t appear to have any plan to kickstart the economy.

“Nobody seems to be in charge. In response to the biggest economic crisis in a quarter century, the Government first denied, then dithered, then went on holidays – and we still have nothing concrete, no sense that anybody is in charge of Ireland Inc.”

Fine Gael wants a temporary freeze on all hospital, transport and TV licence charges to ease the burden on cash-strapped consumers.

Mr Kenny said a strong performance in the local and European Parliament elections will provide a strong platform to win the next general election.

“We have provided honest, expert and courageous opposition. Now, we must focus on providing honest, expert and courageous Government,” he added.

A debate on the fallout from the Lisbon Treaty referendum defeat will also be on the agenda at the Fine Gael think-in.

As parties return to the Dail next week, the main Opposition party said it will be tabling Private Members’ Bills on Victims’ Rights, Home Defence, the Admissibility of Evidence and Data Protection.

Mr Kenny also vowed to crank up the pressure on the Government to hold a referendum to protect children as committed to in the Programme for Government.

Commenting on the expected demise of the Progressive Democrats, Mr Kenny said: “Born out of enmity within Fianna Fáil, they did create an energy and a vibrancy.

They did have a cause to fight for in tax reform and they did take Fine Gael seats.“

Fine Gael took back six seats from the PDs at the last general election.

“I am glad these votes came back home to Fine Gael representatives. And we intend to hold on to them for the future.”

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