It’s Not Our Debt – Rally at the National Monument Tomorrow


Sinn Féin will hold a rally tomorrow to protest against the budget and call for the deal with the IMF to be torn up. The event will begin at the National Monument in the Grand Parade at 2pm, with a public meeting scheduled afterwards at the Victoria Hotel.

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary said:

“The EU/IMF bailout deal will place a millstone of debt around the neck of every taxpayer in this country for a generation, all to pay for the reckless behaviour of a few highly placed gamblers. This is not a bailout for Ireland, it is bailout for the banks - but taxpayers and public service users are the ones being called upon to pay.”

“On Tuesday the first instalment of the bill came due, and once again it was low-paid workers and those on social welfare who footed most of the cost. Some categories of wealthy taxpayers were actually left better off by the changes in the tax code.”

“The threat of legal action by Sinn Féin has now forced the government to put the deal with the IMF to a Dáil vote. We call on every TD and party who has the national interest at heart to vote against it. We are also calling on any political party which hopes to form the next government to make a commitment to bring in a new budget which will reverse the cutbacks to social welfare and the minimum wage and place the burden of tax increases firmly on those who can afford to pay more.”

“We must tear up the deal with the IMF and tell the bondholders in our banks to take their losses. Ireland cannot afford to pay for their mistakes. Our remaining reserves in the National Pension Reserve Fund are needed to invest in the economy, stimulate growth and create jobs.”

“I invite anyone who opposes this budget and the IMF deal and wants to reclaim Ireland’s status as a sovereign nation to gather at the National Monument tomorrow at 2pm.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307.