Adams admits his policies will threaten Irish jobs – Doherty

“Gerry Adams has admitted his own policies will threaten Irish jobs”, says Regina Doherty, Fine Gael TD for Meath East.

“It was laughable to hear Sinn Féin call themselves pro business at their Ard Fheis this weekend. We have known for a long time that Sinn Féin are a high tax, high spend party that would damage job creation. We now have the bizarre situation of Gerry Adams effectively admitting that his own policies will damage Ireland’s job creation prospects. 

“When asked on RTÉ Radio’s This Week show today if his policies would impact on the decisions of multinationals to locate in Ireland, he responded ‘they may…’ before attempting to justify the same dangerous policies. In a pathetic attempt to avert fears, all he could offer was a hope that wealthy patriotic individuals would continue to invest in Ireland.

“Adams needs to get real. This is no joking matter. 174,000 people are directly employed by multinationals in Ireland, with over 100,000 indirect jobs also dependent on foreign direct investment (FDI). Sinn Féin’s fantasy economics cannot be allowed to put these, and future jobs, at risk.

“The reason Adams was the question is that it is patently clear to most right thinking people that Sinn Féin’s proposal to raise the top rate of income tax would seriously endanger investment in this country and put jobs at risk. Their proposal to increase employers’ PRSI  is literally a tax on jobs.  A wealth tax will result in money, investment and jobs leaving the country.

“Thanks to the sacrifices of the Irish people, and the prudent management of the economy in recent years, this country has regained stability and is experiencing economic growth once more. The recovery is still fragile and we cannot throw it all away on a party whose own leader admits their policies may affect FDI to this country.

“Sinn Féin’s’s most recent alternative budget proposed an incredible €1.6 billion in new taxes on work, enterprise and entrepreneurship. Contrast this with the approach of the Government over the last few years. The Action Plan for Jobs has seen over 90,000 additional jobs created and the Live Register has been cut by one third. We have a plan to continue to reduce tax on work in a sustainable way. People have a little more in their pockets after the last Budget and the economy is feeling the benefit with retails sales on the up.

“This week we heard that Sinn Féin’s own business backers in the United States have expressed concern at their economic policies. It is surprising now to hear Gerry Adams agree with them. How can people possibly have faith in his party? The truth is they would put our hard won economic recovery in severe jeopardy.”