Fine Gael pledge on unemployment
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
Saturday March 20 2010
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has 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. He also claimed that if elected, he would reform the political system with a smaller Dail 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.
But following the speech, Foreign Minister Micheal Martin claimed 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."
