More tough decisions ahead: Gilmore
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has warned of further tough Government decisions this year but stressed the party’s values will not be jettisoned.
In a rally-the-troops style meeting before the Dáil’s autumn term begins, Mr Gilmore told TDs and senators there are no quick fixes.
The Tanaiste said the coalition will be honest with the public about the unprecedented crisis and vowed not to shy from difficult trade-offs or cow to vested interests.
“No Government wants to have to cut spending and increase revenue. But it has to be done, for the sake of our country, and for the next generation,” he said.
“In making those hard decisions, this Government will level with people. We will say, yes, it is going to be difficult, but we are going to get on with it.”
The Tánaiste also dismissed as “tittle-tattle” criticisms of his performance around the Cabinet table.
Citing the Government’s actions so far, including the jobs initiative and securing a cut in the bailout interest rate, Mr Gilmore said the coalition must be both innovative and determined.
Addressing the 52-strong parliamentary party, the largest in Labour’s history, Mr Gilmore said the party would drive reform in Government.
“These are positive signs, but they are only the beginning,” Mr Gilmore said.
“We have a long road yet to travel, but we have taken the first steps in the right direction.”
Mr Gilmore said Social Protection Minister Joan Burton would be pressing ahead with welfare reform, but stressed the most vulnerable in society would be looked after.
“For all that we are living through difficult times, we must always maintain a threshold of decency,” he said.
While he said action must be taken to tackle the mortgage crisis, he again ruled out blanket debt forgiveness.
“We want to ensure that the banks, in a fair and consistent manner, work with families who have run into difficulties, that the banks make a genuine effort to do their bit, where a mortgage holder does theirs. But this will all have to be done on a case-by-case basis.”
Mr Gilmore said that despite the tough decisions Labour must not lose sight of its values.
“Now, more than ever, we must look to our values, and find ways to put them into effect,” he said.
“Our values of solidarity, of community, of responsibility, of fairness and of expanding the horizons of all our citizens.”
The two-day think-in at the Mount Wolseley Hotel in Co Carlow also includes speeches by Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, who is expected shortly to complete his comprehensive spending review of Government departments, Ms Burton and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.
The party’s presidential candidate Michael D Higgins will speak tomorrow.
Fine Gael’s pre-Dáil think-in begins in Galway tomorrow.
