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LEADER OF THE LABOUR Party, Ivana Bacik has hit out at Sinn Féin and said that she has “difficulties” describing it as a left-wing party.
In an interview with The Journal, the Dublin Bay South TD said her party has “huge ideological differences” with the three biggest political parties in the State – Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.
On Sinn Féin, Bacik said she would describe the party as “populist” and argued it has taken positions, particularly on taxation and climate change, that are “at odds with left-wing parties” and not “credible”.
“They themselves would acknowledge their guiding force is nationalism and not social democracy or socialism,” Bacik argued.
Sinn Féin has long described itself as a left-wing nationalist party, with its members sitting in The Left group of the European Parliament. However, in recent times, the party has struggled internally with a clash in values.
In particular, Bacik pointed to the party’s record on climate change; its “flip flop” on the Nature Restoration Law at EU level and its opposition to the carbon tax nationally (something other parties on the left, such as People Before Profit are also opposed to).
On the Nature Restoration Law, Bacik said: “I mean, the biggest innovation on tackling climate at EU level and Sinn Féin vote against it?
“That’s not credible.”
Bacik also pointed to the party’s proposal to scrap the property tax as a stance that doesn’t align with traditional left-wing ideology.
“That’s a wealth tax. It’s a tax on assets. And I always had the belief that for us on the left, the party of work, party of the trade union movement, our focus in taxation must be on wealth and not on work,” Bacik said.
As part of its pitch to voters in this election, the Labour Party is not proposing any increase in income tax, but Bacik said she does believe that a solid and fair tax base should be a priority for government.
The Labour Party currently has six TDs in the Dáil, with two, Brendan Howlin and Seán Sherlock not seeking re-election. In this election, it is running 32 candidates and Bacik is hoping to build on what they have.
The party was once one of the “big three” parties in the country, but after dropping to just seven TDs in 2016 after its stint in government it has not yet managed to return to its 2011 high of 37 TDs.
During this election, it has been reported that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been eyeing up the Labour Party as a possible junior coalition partner to replace the Greens, an idea Bacik has dismissed as “arrogant”.
But Bacik has long talked about her party being “serious” about going into government. Is she willing to do that no matter the cost to her party’s future?
On the suggestion that Labour would risk a hammering from the electorate, similar to 2011 if it went into government with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, Bacik makes the point that both parties have “wasted a decade of prosperity” and what she and her Labour colleagues want to see is real change in communities.
“It’s not about one party, it’s about actually delivering change.
“And the best, the only way, to deliver change is through going into government,” she said.
She is firm though that her first priority, if re-elected, will be to form a “common platform” on the left, namely with the Green Party and the Social Democrats, to go into any government formation talks together.
Taoiseach Simon Harris rejected this idea on Friday in an interview with the Irish Times, but Bacik said it is “presumptuous” and “arrogant” for him to categorically rule anyone out at this point.
She also pushed back on the idea that a coalition involving a number of smaller parties on the left would be unstable, arguing that a clear policy platform would counter this.
Bacik’s “biggest fear” is that the next government would be any of the three biggest parties in coalition with a group of Independents or “far-right Independents”.
“Then we will see not only a lack of stability in government, but a really, seriously dangerous set of policies being adopted that will set us back on climate action. That’s a real fear, as we see with Trump, and will not guarantee the state investment in housing and care that is needed and that people are looking for.”
In particular, Bacik said she would be “very worried” about the prospect of Aontú or Independent Ireland being in government.
On incoming US President Donald Trump, Bacik spoke of how, as the mother of teenagers, she was “deeply distressed” to see Trump re-elected.
She said his presidency for the next four years will likely set back climate action “irrevocably” and argued that this means greater action is needed domestically.
“The Greens have been talking about their time in government, but even with their efforts, at best, the EPA are saying we’re only on target to achieve 29% emission reductions by 2030. The EU binding goal is 51%. That’s absolutely terrifying.
“So we need to see a collective mass, a critical mass, of TDs in the next government who are committed to climate action, whatever party they’re from. We need that common platform on environmental issues, as we do on housing and on childcare,” Bacik said.
Elsewhere, Bacik made the point that some of the criticism of Justice Minister Helen McEntee from political candidates in this election has been gendered.
“I would be very concerned about that. As a former criminal practitioner, I have a lot of criticisms of the Justice Minister’s approach, particularly on policing,” Bacik said, highlighting in particular a failure to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of gardaí.
“So I have criticisms for the Justice Minister, but I absolutely refute any attempt to make gendered criticisms. And to suggest, as some of her coalition colleagues have done, in this sort of phony war that’s going on between the two [parties], that she’s somehow at fault for having taken time of for maternity leave is unacceptable.”
Earlier this week, Tánaiste Micheál Martin defended comments made by junior minister James Browne, that referenced times McEntee was replaced by colleagues while on maternity leave, and said they were “completely misinterpreted”.
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Fair play to voxpro.
True but what are the two grinning idiots doing there?
Everywhere they seem to go there is a massive jobs announcement. They must be the luckiest lads in the world.
Yes Ted – they’re like the opposite of Jessica Fletcher …
Joseph they are the taoiseach and minister for jobs. They helped facilitate the new jobs and are no doubt enjoying the positive limelight that stories like this bring.
@seb.
I’d be pretty sure that they had feck all to do with it. Just jumping on the pre election bandwagon.
Bruton is the Minister for Gobs not Jobs.
How did they help facilitate the new jobs?
Kenny is saying let them eat cake the peasants.
@Joseph
Company is supported by Enterprise Ireland..Government run body. That’s how they helped facilitate the new jobs…
How exactly is it supported ? Who is looking after the Irish Water call center ? any ideas about that?
350 new jobs means a nice bit of extra tax revenue coming soon why else would the grinning idiots be there…
Would you ever cop on the only jobs they create is jobs for the boys
@Joseph
Enterprise Ireland have a number of funding mechanisms, potentially investing hundreds of thousands in the company and taking an equity stake in it. I’m not sure exactly what funding they are getting.
Honestly dude though, stick to the point. What has the Irish water call center got to do with this?
Any chance of a bit of balance Joseph? If you complain about the Govt not creating enough jobs, and then they are created through Govt-supported money then credit where it’s due.
Michael have you taken notice of what has been going on and reveled over the last 6 – 8 weeks. You want “balance”, I want these filthy corrupt parasites jailed.
@Joseph
But you have to admit you are being a bit biased on your argument here? I can understand your dislike of the current government but that shouldn’t come into this argument.
Chris in all honesty do you consider it “fair” what these people are doing to the general population in this country?
We are talking about one specific story hear. I don’t see any reason why need to bring up what “these people” are doing in general. My whole argument is that you look at this extremely positive piece of news for Cork and Ireland as a whole and try and see only the negatives. Regardless of you disagreeing with what the government are doing you have to at least recognise that this is a positive story and that like it or not a government body had a positive part to play in it.
To be honest Joe it worries me that there are people like you out there, probably trying to get into politics. I would happily endure another 10 years of austerity than have someone as narrowminded as you anywhere close to running the country
Yes Joseph, I follow all of that too. Today’s news though is fantastic for hundreds of families and there will be ancillary benefits to many others accruing from these job announcements. It’s annoying that every bloody positive news story has to be followed by endless negative comments on the present Govt. There are many other stories where you can give your opinion and it will be respected. But this news should only be commented on with optimism at the difference it will make to people. And a balanced agreement that yes, sometimes, this Govt. gets things right. It’s Friday, cheer up man.
Chris telling the truth is not always the most popular thing to do. I’d be far more worried about the people that are in politics now and what is being planned for our kids by these parasites.
The truth? Just out of interest, do you think the government should have more involvement in jobs creation or less? By the sounds of it you don’t think they do enough. What would you have them do differently? In general what would you do differently with regards to other issues?
We need a new constitution that reflects the needs of a modern secular democratic republic.
We need accountability and transparency in all public affairs.
Yippie, more jobs for Cork. You’ll all be moving down here soon!
Well done cork
Well done.Very good news.
Except for people living in countries that the outsourcing is taking jobs from of course. Remember the outcry when Aviva did the same thing? Nothing like good old fashioned hypocrisy
I was with Voxpro in the early years when they had a small office with a small team. Dan and Linda built that business from a small office with a handful if dedicated employees to what it is today. A true success in the current climate.
I take my hat off to them.
Good news on the economy/jobs and Adams arrested. Shinners must be ready to explode.
Very true tom. I often think that when I hear good news on the economy, shinners and populist socialists must be tearing their hair out because good news for Ireland is bad news for them.
Btw “explode” was an unintentional pun.
Sebastian – have you not heard? – all of these jobs are to scambridgers in Australia.
Hmm. If these jobs were not outsourced then better paid jobs would be created or maintained elsewhere. What is outsourcing really only taking higher paid jobs from somewhere else in the economy?
If they weren’t outsourced to an Irish company them they would be outsourced to Asia somewhere – so it’s still a good announcement.
L connors. That’s capitalism. Get over it.
Many companies will outsource particular aspects of their business for many reasons. Maybe they don’t have the skills, or the demand for a particular service would be infrequent and it wouldn’t be worth doing it in-house.
I’m not disputing that it’s not capitalism. Hardly a great jobs announcement though as outsourcing is just to replace other jobs. And these jobs would not be outsourced to Asia – as if that’s the case why is it not happening? It would be cheaper to do so and that option still exists.
Yes, but the option also exists to outsource to an Irish firm which is obviously well regarded and successful. The work could well be outsourced from overseas and would be new work coming into the country. It could also facilitate cost effective expansion for irish firms.
Stop being so negative.
L connors. Im not sure about the inner workings of this Company and how and what it outsources. However it is great news and for every one high end job created 4 or 5 other jobs are also created. They call it trickle down employment.
And minister Bruton and An Taoiseach can pop up in front of the cameras all they want and put on as many cheesy smiles as they want so long as big announcements like this keep happening.
L Connnors – the fact that Voxpro is creating 300 outsourcing jobs does not mean that 300 jobs are being lost elsewhere in Ireland.
The clients could be outside of Ireland
The services could be a result of increased demand that internal resources are unable to fulfill
I’ve tried saying this over and over in my head and it’s not intended as offensive…but how many of these jobs will go to the Irish? I know of a lot of similar companies in Ireland employing 75%+ foreign nationals
I’m sure that if an Irish person has the required language skills and qualifications they have as much chance as getting the job as the next person. Do you think there should be a quota?
They will go to who applies for them and so what if 75% go to them, irish people are probably above the jobs and won’t apply.
Not at all, a person should be qualified. As I said, I didn’t want it to be offensive. But when we see ’350 jobs created’ I just would like to know how many actually go to Irish nationals
I find that offensive tbh…I also don’t think its an issue and I’m surprised you think it is one
But why, the taxes go to irish people anyway. It’s not companies fault that Irish people are so thick and can’t speak other languages. Thousands of jobs would be filled if people got off there arses and learned a second language.
And by the way if you were in Australia or Europe would u liked to be viewed in the same man or you are summing up non irish nations.
I know u don’t mean it but…..
Same way you (what was meant)
I posted my response in the wrong place, it’s floating around somewhere here
Fair play boi’s .. Jobs for the boi’s
I’d say the taylors dummy on the right edged it. The suit on the left is a bit tight in the middle
At the rate they’re going we’ll have full employment by May 23rd. Amazing!
Wahoo, more call centre jobs for Cork
I realise how this might come across as offensive, was just a thought. Ted Crilly’s ‘not a racist’ video comes to mind. I’M SORRY INTERNET
Drop in the ocean to the 450 thousand unemployed.
Where’s Christopher with the negative spin on 350 new jobs? Ah, there you are, my little ray of sunshine.
If I said it was sunny outside, your next comment would be ‘They say it’ll rain tomorrow’.
Go out, get some air, see something beautiful, and then come back to us. There’s a good boy.
Job announcements like this sound great until you realize that the vast majority of the call center jobs are for native foreign language speakers only.
I don’t think job announcements should even make the headlines if 99% of Irish ”need not apply’.
These are ‘government’ created jobs.
Answering calls for irish water.
Electioneering at its finest.
350 new jobs and why am I reading lots and list of negative comments and bickering? This could have been 350,000 new jobs and some journal readers would still find something negative and have a moan.
have your say