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Labour’s mission is to create a fairer Ireland

Issued : Monday 25 September, 2006

The mission of the Irish Labour Party is not just to change government but to change Irish society and to make Ireland a fair place to work and to love, according to Eamon Gilmore, Chairperson of the Policy Committee of the Irish Labour Party.

Speaking at the British Labour Party Conference today, Deputy Gilmore said: “Most Irish people are rightly proud of our economic achievement over the last two decades.

“Unfortunately the present right-wing Government in Ireland has failed to convert the countries economic successes to providing quality public services and to building a fair society. After almost 10 years of Fianna Fail/ Progressive Democrat rule, the health service is a mess, traffic is gridlocked, and both crime and the cost of living are spiralling upwards.

“The Irish Labour Party is committed to continuing and building on Ireland’s economic prosperity. Our task and challenge after next General Election will be to channel the country’s wealth to improving public services and solving the social problems now facing our society.

“Among the challenges which Labour will face is how to end poverty. The recent disturbances in Moyross serve as an example of the kind of deep social problems that bedevil people in disadvantaged communities, mainly in our cities, who have been left behind by the Celtic Tiger.

"No other government has been in office against the background of such favourable economic conditions and yet has failed to deliver in so many key areas of Irish life. Public disillusionment with this government set in long ago, but there is now an unprecedented hunger for change.”