25.1.05
Sinn Féin
Poverty survey exposes Government lies
Published: 24 January, 2005
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Welfare and Community Affairs, Seán Crowe TD responding to the latest figures that indicate that poverty levels in Ireland are much higher than admitted by the Government said, "this latest survey exposes as a lie the Government's claims on poverty."
Deputy Crowe said, "While the Government was happy to bury its head in the sand, or worse still, wilfully ignore the levels of poverty in the country there are those of us who know only too well from our work in our communities that despite the so-called Celtic Tiger there are still a significant number of people living in consistent poverty.
"It is ironic that this report should be published on the day a former Fianna Fáil Minister is jailed for tax evasion. He was a member of Governments which cut back public services and urged working people to tighten their belts while he and his colleagues took advantage of their political positions for personal gain. Equally scandalous were their policies that led to the closing down of hospital wards, corrupt land deals, dilapidated schools and the degeneration of vital public services, while the monied elite bought and sold Ireland from under its people. We are still living with the legacy.
"This latest survey exposes as a lie the Government's claims on poverty. This report shows that despite all the talk of 'socialism' and a new "caring sharing" image this Government has not changed from its position of supporting and appeasing the mega rich while treating the less well off in Irish society as second-class citizens." END
Poverty survey exposes Government lies
Published: 24 January, 2005
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Welfare and Community Affairs, Seán Crowe TD responding to the latest figures that indicate that poverty levels in Ireland are much higher than admitted by the Government said, "this latest survey exposes as a lie the Government's claims on poverty."
Deputy Crowe said, "While the Government was happy to bury its head in the sand, or worse still, wilfully ignore the levels of poverty in the country there are those of us who know only too well from our work in our communities that despite the so-called Celtic Tiger there are still a significant number of people living in consistent poverty.
"It is ironic that this report should be published on the day a former Fianna Fáil Minister is jailed for tax evasion. He was a member of Governments which cut back public services and urged working people to tighten their belts while he and his colleagues took advantage of their political positions for personal gain. Equally scandalous were their policies that led to the closing down of hospital wards, corrupt land deals, dilapidated schools and the degeneration of vital public services, while the monied elite bought and sold Ireland from under its people. We are still living with the legacy.
"This latest survey exposes as a lie the Government's claims on poverty. This report shows that despite all the talk of 'socialism' and a new "caring sharing" image this Government has not changed from its position of supporting and appeasing the mega rich while treating the less well off in Irish society as second-class citizens." END
