20 May, 2010

Opposition job plans welcome but FG’s NewERA rehashes our policies -

Minister O’Keeffe

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has

said Opposition proposals to create jobs are welcome but Fine Gael’s NewERA

plan is financially reckless with many of its ideas a rehash of Government

policy.

Minister O’Keeffe was speaking in advance of the planned launch of a Fine

Gael jobs campaign later today.

‘Fine Gael wants to raid the National Pension Reserve Fund and borrow

billions more to implement policies that are already substantially

contained in the Government’s own ‘smart’ economy plan.

‘The Government is already moving ahead with smart meters, electric

vehicles and green energy proposals - we don’t need a Fine Gael policy

document to tell us what we are already doing.

‘The notion that Fine Gael is coming up with new ideas on job creation is

nonsense.

‘The party is simply rehashing Government policy - and doing so while at

the same time adding billions more to the national debt and driving up the

cost of borrowing,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

Minister O’Keeffe said it would be reckless to set up four new commercial

state bodies when the Government is rationalising State agencies.

‘Selling public assets when prices are depressed would not be a wise move

either,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

He said the Government has taken steps to protect and grow employment.

We have done that by focusing on priority areas consistent with the

Government’s ‘Jobs and Growth 2010’ - competitiveness; human capital;

innovation; infrastructure; green economy; and trade.

‘I will soon be setting out clear strategic objectives and targets for my

Department so that society and the business community can have confidence

that we have a plan that is achievable within certain timeframes as Ireland

emerges from recession,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

ENDS