Difficult Dail term beckons for Government TD’s

Fine Gael Party Chairman Charlie Flanagan has said that the forthcoming budget will ensure a difficult Dail term. Deputy Flanagan was speaking after he addressed the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party “think in” in Wesport this week.

“I don’t think there is anyone under the illusion that this will not be the most difficult period we have faced. The Troika have set down some extremely stringent targets and each Department has a responsibility to meet those targets culminating in a tough Budget in December. We must however be mindful of our citizens as we do this. We cannot shrink from difficult decisions but the decisions must be the right ones, taken for the right reasons”.

“The goal of this Government is to restore economic sovereignty but such restoration cannot be amended itself but also a means to justice and fairness for citizens, families and future generations”

“To ensure this every department will look at how best the Croke Park Agreement can be implemented to ensure maximum efficiency and savings. I don’t believe a unilateral re-negotiation of the Croke Park Agreement is possible or feasible. If there are aspects of the agreement that require all parties to resume round-table talks well then, that may, in the circumstances, be necessary.”
 

The focus of this Government over the next few months will be on ensuring a fair Budget, the passing of the Children’s referendum and the upcoming EU presidency. These are the priorities of the Government and I feel we can achieve these if we continue to work in a cohesive manner with our partners in Government”.