Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has said that fairness needs to be at the heart of Budget 2017 and Sinn Féin’s Alterative Budget shows how the Government could do just that.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Ireland is at a crossroads and Budget 2017 is one of the most important in recent years. While things have improved for people in some parts of the country, hundreds of thousands of others are struggling to pay hospital bills, back to school costs, and keep a roof over their heads.

“Fairness needs to be at the heart of Budget 2017. It needs to create an Ireland for living, not for merely scraping by. Sinn Féin’s fully costed Alternative Budget shows exactly how that can be done.

“Sinn Féin’s priorities for Budget 2017 are straightforward. We want to reduce the cost of living and invest in public services that will deliver for our citizens; we want to increase capital investment to build homes, schools, health facilities, flood relief works and roads; develop the all-Ireland economy and invest in long-term economic growth; and create a system of fair taxation.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs also said:

“I am urging the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to ensure that Ireland begins to grow the budget for Overseas Development Assistance in Budget 2017. Ireland’s aid programme is world class, and a critical part of our international reputation.

“Our Alternative Budget is also proposing an increase in funding of €5 million for Overseas Development Aid (ODA) and for the State to resolutely work towards achieving its promised ODA targets. The UN target of 0.7% of GNI for aid spending must be a priority for the Government, and it must reaffirm its commitment to assisting the world’s poorest.

“ODA is not a tap that can be turned on and off. There needs to be proactive consultation with relevant stakeholders, and short-, medium-, and long-term planned projects and targets, rather than simple yearly targets.”

ENDS

Note: Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget is available here https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2016/SF_Budget2017_ENGLISH.pdf