Gilmore says Labour-led Govt possible
Tuesday, 6 October 2009 15:24
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore has said Ireland now has a real prospect of a Labour-led government for the first time ever.
Addressing the SIPTU conference in Tralee, he said that a Labour government would not be a trade union government, but a government of all the people.
He said that Labour was opposed to further across the board cuts in pay, because they recognised that workers in both the private and public sectors had already had their pay reduced.
He also condemned what he called a 'scurrilous campaign' to scapegoat workers in the public sector.
However, he accepted that the size of the public pay bill must be reduced, adding that it could be achieved through a process of major public service reform.
He warned that reform was not confined to the shop floor, saying it must be led from the top.
He said that was why he wanted action taken on the issue of Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue's expenses, and reform of the entire system of expenses paid to all those who hold public office.
He said he supported the call for a resumption of real talks on a national agreement for economic recovery.
He also reiterated his commitment to legislation for the right to collective bargaining as enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
