Micheál Martin was the most right-wing Minister for Employment in the history of the State – McEntee

Responding to Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin’s claims today about right-wing economics, Meath Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee said:

“Micheál Martin was the most right-wing Minister for Enterprise in the history of the Irish state.

“In 2005, as Bertie Ahern’s Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin introduced legislation that allowed below-cost selling of groceries. It was a far-right, anti-rural decision that favoured the big foreign multiples and hammered small shops and local businesses across rural and middle Ireland.

“Then, five years later in 2010, at a time of great suffering for ordinary workers in Ireland, Micheál Martin was a senior Minister in Brian Cowen’s government that reduced the minimum wage by 12% (€8.65 to €7.65). One of the first acts of this Fine Gael led Government was to restore the minimum wage and we have since increased it to €9.15.

“I am 29 years old; my generation is only emerging into the light now after a deep recession which was caused by the free-wheeling, right wing policies that Micheál Martin, Bertie Ahern and others championed while in government.

“The country faces a general election; I hope that the people will choose to re-elect the Fine Gael/Labour coalition, which governs from the centre. Micheál Martin is too right wing for my generation.”