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JOAN BURTON HAS given the strongest indication yet that the government is preparing a so-called ‘Spring Statement’ in the New Year saying she would favour a greater public discourse on the economy.
The Tánaiste hinted that such a statement on the current economic situation would be delivered in April and said it would be a good time to examine how the Irish economy is performing and where capital investment should be spent.
“I see capital investment, public capital investment programmes, as major drivers of the future prosperity of the Irish economy. It’s the way we build the schools, the roads, the hospitals, it’s the way we invest in Irish Water and in other essential elements of infrastructure,” she said.
Burton said it would be good to have a “public discussion”, including in the Dáil, about where the economy is going ahead of the now traditional October Budget.
“I know it’s [Spring Statement] been discussed in government circles, particularly among people working with government, but I do think there is merit in the suggestion,” Burton added.
Burton also took aim at the opposition parties for their apparent unwillingness to discuss the economy in the Dáil.
Current parliamentary rules prevent opposition parties from tabling legislation or resolutions that allocate exchequer funding i.e. propose to spend money.
But the Labour leader said that in the last year and a half there had been no “general economic resoluition or private members’ motion” put down by the opposition parties.
“They’ve been unwilling to come to the table and talk about the alternatives. They’re willing to say, if you like, what they don’t like.
“They’re willing – and that’s their job – to criticise what they see being offered and implemented by the government and I don’t have a problem with that, that’s their job. But they have been utterly coy in saying what they would do.”
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Great news lads, we’ve created hundreds of thousands of jobs that have a salary of 18k and thousands more that pay 12k. We’ve implemented massive taxes for the middle and lower class, removed public services and privatised semi state assets. The best thing of all, we’ve feckin got away with it!
Just a super quango to finish so everyone has a job after. It’s all going to plan!
*”everyone” means us, not those stupid pleb voters who turn up every half a decade. Easy money!!
How can there be any debate in the dail when the cc doesn’t like what he hears he cuts them off!
Blah blah blah … moan drone – feck off Joan because everyone is sick of you.
Blah – type for yourself m8…
Dara is typing for me as well M8 along with most of the electorate…..M8 !!!.
Hear hear, Dara
We have been talking about the economy and how your policies have made us worse off. We have protested against water charges, property tax and cut backs. You didn’t listen, but we have had to listen to you whining and now the only thing we want to hear from this Government is the date of the next election.
The economy is as follows, the rich continue to get rich, the poor are getting poorer.
I agree, it’s the way the private banking system has positioned itself in our society. However it’s interesting that the word “alternative” is being used in that statement. What I expect from both Government and opposition is initiatives and change and not squabbling like children in a schoolyard, while at the same time allowing the financializing of the country’s assets to balance our books to appease the Troika and the private bondholders. So another alternative to give us a choice of banking in the public’s interest needs to be examined, one that is enjoyed by other countries within the EU, where the creation of debt money through loans is focused on benefitting local communities, not faceless bondholders and where the real money i.e. interest earned by such banks is folded back into the local economy, not sent to the Cayman Islands.
We need to be offered a different banking model, with a public mandate. These type of banks do exist.So time to examine these “alternatives”
if i delivered you an economic policy where the rich got richer and the poor got richer would you be happy? be frank.
A Spring Statement,just what the plebs want,let us eat Christmas cake Joan. Whatever you do,for the love of god, don’t think outside the box.
Joanie complaining about the oppostion tactics which Labour made an art form of doing the exact same thing when they were sitting in those benches!
She wants us to keep talking Next Year about the economy – how about we talk about the legitimacy of any government with Labour at 5 or 6% in the polls…How about we talk about democracy and voting – Realpolitik as it is called ?
where are them sink holes when their needed,,wish the ground would just open up and swallow joan brutal the hypocrite
What economy exactly, the one for the 1% at the top. Nah think ill give this one a miss, its not as interesting as your one about surviv against all for two complete hours in a car with only armed special branch and pepper spray and battons to protect you from the women,mostly, eh was it fascists.
Joan……how about a spring election instead? Don’t think you and your gang won’t have the balls
Again they will promise the sun,moon & stars .
They will sign contracts,they will turn up at the opening of anything with well prepared sound bites and you might even see kenny getting into debates where he will give his “it’s your fault” mantra.
ff/fg/lab are already fighting for the bones of beast that hasn’t died yet.
I can’t wait to see how low they will stoop to try and stay in office.
I doubt she has read pikety. If enda would dare to debate the economy I’d be cool with that discussion
But I’m also reminded now of piece so social commentery from marieantoinette expressing amazement that common folk have so many iphones, omitting to mention that they somehow managed to be wearing shoes… I seen the photos folks people were clearly wearing shoes that day.
The only Spring Statement I want to hear from this deluded cow is that she is resigning!
Follow Enda I’m sure he is opening a call centre somewhere for one of Dennises minions.
Ugly woman leading a party of liars no need for debate you are doomed iphone Joan
Water tax, water meters, water tax, water meters Joan, that’s what we’ll talk about
You’re having a laugh Joan… Gov refuses to answer questions in the Dail & outside the Dail you don’t listen to citizens. Gov ministers scaremonger about violent protests… You should live in France, Greece, UK, Egypt, USA. You do not allow democracy in the Dail cos you use the whip to dictate to your own party members. And regardless of what both parties say you actually do the opposite.. Your word is worthless & your manifesto fraudulent. Since you got into power you have aggressively fleece the citizens & targeted the most vulnerable. Let’s face it you won’t do right by the people because this Gov is self serving. Even this year Gov appointments questionable & IW contract not put out to tender. Water exemption exists for Ireland in EU & irl gov ignoring it. As for the CC, he is a puppet of Gov & stops democratic debate in the Dail. So why do you think your inspired idea of talking to the minions would accomplish anything? It’s just a pr stunt. Don’t waste our time & credit us with more intelligence. Just call an election & stop this soap opera. A gov living in denial got us n this mess & Jackanory your gov is just as bad.
Nama, a gov established body msking many tenants/families homeless all for profits. No social housing & actually costing the state more… If ye’re all that stupid you shouldn’t be running the country
Haven’t got time to listen Joan, text me with the highlights.
Another save my arse move before it burns from a woman that the public obviously despise. I am sick to death listening to her spray the media with its not my fault its fianna fails, as a ex trade union member for the last 30 years, this self serving mob make me puke, do yourself a favour moan go now.
I think Joan the phone economy is an awful.lot different to my economy ..I’m one of the low.paid.plabs that her ..sew up your pockets Noonan and Kenny are screwing when they want more revenue and then insult to injury they have the neck to tell you things are improving and your better off because of the budget ..when studies have clearly shown the opposite ..the higher paid gained most .
Whats the point of talking? with just four ministers deciding economic policy with no consultation with anyone else
Joan gave about this arrangement but now she doesn’t since she became part of it
It’s a bit fitting auld Joan giving us a message like she thinks shes the Queen. I’m sure that message will include something about us eating cake. Or smartphones.
What is wrong with this fool, the masses have already spoken, another politician that will keep asking the same question until they get the answer that they want, referendum anyone?
Joan,
In case you hadn’t noticed, the economy is already a hot topic of conversation amongst Ireland’s citizens. Regrettably, it seems when you guys get elected they tune out from the grassroots until next election.
It begs the question are TDs driven by a true call to serve their country or are they driven by ambition to build a high profile career for advancement of their own personal long-term interests.
Either way, TDs should make a resolution to listen more attentively to the electorate.
In that Gov Spring Statement I would like the following specific recommendations considered for inclusion:
1) NAMA as one the few well funded Gov Bodies in the state, to play a greater role in Ireland’s infrastructural development, in conjunction with the private sector. eg business parks, housing, roadways, in the larger urban centres, particularly within a 40 miles radius of Dublin to action some semblance of Regional Dev away from our capital.
2) Long-Term Planning of IRL economy to be given greater focus within the corridors of power, rather than current emphasis on Dail term cycles.
3) In furtherance of Enterprise culture, participation in equity investment by all working citizens should be incentivised with the introduction of tax credits in return for equity investment in any new business. €90bn currently sits on deposit in Ireland’s banks. Mobilising even 5% of this sum into the economy in investment into SME sector could work wonders in kick starting the economy.
Abolish Irish Water. Start there!!!
Didn’t the public give their verdict on the water tax/charge? Fell on deaf ears!
The economy is recovering and it is correct to have this discussion. Calling politicians scurrilous names solves nothing.
@Powerabbey, scurrilous name calling? Do you mean when she referred to protesters as a “sinister element” or when she suggested they were fascists, maybe you were thinking about when Noel Coonan called the entire population parasites and suggested there was an ISIS element among us because we had the audacity to disagree with one of their measures an protest en mass about it. Politicians are no strangers to scurrilous name calling, in fact they are proving quite adept at it themselves.
Powerabbey do you.seriously believe.the economy is.recovering …all I see are ever increasing families being made homeless ..ever increasing queues for the food.parcels ..people.leaving the.country in search.of a decent.job ..for.a silly back.to.work or jobsbridge to get the live register down …
its not a recovery until the people have recovered, and thats far off
Powerabbey the SVP in my area are almost at breaking point trying to help struggling families out this christmas they have never had as many requests for help since the the bank bailout.
i’m talking about the new working poor thanks to FG and LAB policies hope the sham government are ashamed of what they have done.
Recently I bought coal and discovered price increase of approx €4 per bag. Explanation the increase was due to Carbon Tax introduced by the Government.
so poor people have to pay this Carbon Tax.
the Labour Party should hang its head in SHAME!
The Labour Party put Carbon Tax on coal madness stupid crazy.
How can poor people buy coal when the Labour Party supported Carbon Tax.
have your say