Speech by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, at Fine Gael’s final press conference before polling for the Local and European Elections 2014

Welcome to the final press conference of Fine Gael’s European and local election campaigns.
Our campaign is focussed on three key themes – Stability, Jobs and Growth. When we entered government three years ago, none of these crucial themes existed in Ireland.

Since then, we have worked hard to stabilise the economy, the public finances and the banking system, to get the economy growing again and, most importantly, to create jobs.

Thanks to the patience and resilience of the Irish people, the country is now heading in the right direction. Our public finances are coming under control, the economy in growing again and, while we still have far too many people out of work, we are creating over 1,200 new jobs every week.

I understand and acknowledge that the past few years have been very tough for the Irish people. Many of the decisions we have had to take have been difficult and painful for many people.

I also accept that many people are not yet feeling the impact of economic recovery in their daily lives. I want to assure the Irish people that your sacrifices are making a difference and I am determined that we will continue on the path towards economic recovery.

I also want to make it clear that over 90% of the measures that had to be taken to bring the public finances under control have already been implemented. The water charges, which will average at €240 per year, will be the last significant additional charge on households.

As Minister Noonan has said, our priority in the next two budgets will be to give income tax relief to working families.

Some have argued that Friday’s elections don’t really matter. I don’t accept that argument. These are very important elections – your vote really matters. We will elect eleven MEPs to fight for Ireland’s cause in a European Parliament of 751 members. We will also elect the members of reformed local authorities who will have significant new powers, including on the local property tax.

The choice to be made by the Irish people on Friday is a clear one; will we elect MEPs who will have real clout in the European Parliament, and will we elect councillors who can be trusted to keep local taxes low and manage local finances responsibly? On both counts, Fine Gael is the right choice.

In the European elections, we are standing candidates of ability, energy and commitment; Brian Hayes in Dublin, Jim Higgins and Mairead McGuinness in Midlands North West, and Deirdre Clune, Simon Harris and Sean Kelly in the South.

A vote for these Fine Gael candidates is a vote, not only for quality representation, but also for MEPs who will have real clout and influence in the largest political grouping in the European Parliament.

In the local elections, Fine Gael is running 468 fantastic candidates nationwide, 106 of whom are women. Each one of these candidates is passionate about their community, passionate about improving local conditions for families and passionate about helping local business create local jobs.

They are determined that the recovery in Ireland’s economy reaches every part of the country. They are also determined that local authorities contribute to economic recovery in their areas.

Fine Gael wants to make recovery local. To do this Fine Gael candidates are committed to our three Steps to Local Recovery:

First – Fine Gael candidates will support local enterprise to create local jobs.
To achieve this Fine Gael councillors will ensure that there will be no increase in commercial rates and will reduce rates where possible, as part of a “Jobs and Small Business Package” in every council budget.

Second – Fine Gael candidates will support hard pressed households and families.
From 2015 councillors will have the responsibility of varying the rate of the local property tax by plus or minus 15%. This makes these local elections different from all others in recent history.

Who you vote for does matter on May 23rd. Who you vote for now will have an impact on your local property tax and on the level of local council services for the next five years. Fine Gael councillors will not vote for any increase in the Local Property Tax rate and will cut the rate where circumstances allow.

Some other parties are promising to increase Council spending, which you will have to pay for through a higher property tax. Other parties are proposing abolishing charges altogether which will mean higher income taxes to pay for substandard services.

Thirdly – Fine Gael candidates support the empowerment of local communities.
Fine Gael councillors will support the sale by their local councils of social housing to tenants as part of the new, attractive tenant purchase scheme being developed by the Government. Fine Gael supports home ownership because it is good for community stability, individual empowerment and local employment.

Proceeds will also help social housing solutions such as refurbishments and improvements to existing social houses, bringing long-term vacant units back into social use, and targeting completion of unfinished housing estates.

Fine Gael has a proven track record in Europe. In the past three years, we have shown that we can be trusted to manage the people’s money carefully at national level. We have also honoured our promise not to increase income taxes. On Friday, I urge people to elect MEPs with real clout, and councillors who can be trusted to manage your local finances and keep local charges as low as possible.

I urge you to vote for Stability, Jobs and Growth.