One Hundred Days of Broken Promises-O'Brien

One Hundred Days of Broken Promises-O'Brien

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien today said the government’s first one hundred days in office are littered with broken promises – including Fine Gael’s election pledge to guarantee the future of the Orthopaedic Hospital. He was speaking outside Leinster House, where he joined other Sinn Féin TDs in a protest to mark the government’s first 100 days in office.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“After just 100 days in office, the government already has a series of u-turns and a clutch of broken promises to its credit. Of particular concern to people on Cork’s Northside is Fine Gael’s abandonment of its election pledge to keep the Orthopaedic open.”

“Since my election I have repeatedly questioned Minister for Health Dr James Reilly on his plans for the future of the hospital, and urged him to retain it as a centre of excellence for healthcare on the Northside. His responses have been consistently evasive – in sharp contrast to what Fine Gael told people in the media and on the doors in the recent election.”

“Government has abandoned its promise to re-negotiate the EU/IMF bailout and since coming to office has handed billions in taxpayers’ money over to the banks. There is understandable suspicion that yesterday’s statement on imposing burden sharing on senior bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide is simply a stunt to mark 100 days of this government.”

“There have been dozens more u-turns in health provision and education, the introduction of water and household charges and on third-level fees.”

“Fine Gael and Labour have adopted almost the entire economic policy of the failed and rejected Fianna Fáil-Green government.

“In just 100 days it is clear that the people deserve better than what this administration has to offer.”

For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907