End scapegoating of public sector - Gilmore

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has today called for an end to what he said was the scapegoating of public servants.

In a speech to the AGM of the Mayo branch of the Impact union in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Mr Gilmore said the public service was "in the eye of the economic storm".

The Labour leader said it was the loss of jobs, the closure of businesses, the drop in consumer activity, the decline in the economy and the consequent loss in tax revenues which has caused the critical problem in the public finances - "not the other way around".

He said the cost to the exchequer for January's job losses would be €730 million - over half what the Government hoped to raise in the pension levy If unemployment rises to 400,000 by the end if the year as the Taoiseach predicts it will.

"That is why the fixation with cutting public expenditure alone will not solve this problem. Because the more jobs there are lost, the more that will have to be cut, which in turn shrinks the economy - until we reach a point, where there is nothing more that can be cut."

"Saving jobs and putting people back to work is therefore the only sustainable way out of this economic crisis."

"That is of course, not to ignore the public finances. Nor does it mean that those who work on the public services do not have a part to play nor are they unwilling to play their part," Mr Gilmore continued.

"But what I believe public servants this week are understandably saying is that they didn't create the problem and therefore should not be singled out for unfair treatment, as if they were the whole problem."

Mr Gilmore added: "I believe that the vast majority of people including public servants are willing to play their part in getting the country through this recession. But people need to see the road map."

"This is a time for pulling together. For working together. For unity among working people in the public and private sector. For understanding each others fears and risks. For refusing to be divided. For determining that we can come out of this recession to a better place."