Minister Humphreys calls on grassroot Fine Gael members to back coalition deal

The Minister for Enterprise, Business & Innovation is calling on grassroots Fine Gael members to support the programme for government agreed earlier this week.

Deputy Humphreys, who was part of the negotiating team, described the programme as "good for the country" and in line with "Fine Gael values and principles".

She said: "We achieved what we set out to achieve. It will provide the stable, majority Government for five years that we need to rebuild the economy and renew our society following the Covid19 pandemic."

Deputy Humphreys said there is a "strong commitment" to rural Ireland in the document approved.

She elaborated: "An environmental scheme will be developed to reward more sustainable methods of farming, and significant investment in roads will continue. We will also accelerate the roll out of the national broadband plan, invest in tourism, and increase community collaboration in rural policy development. This programme has balanced regional development at its heart because all parts of Ireland must thrive if we are to prosper as a country."

The Cavan Monaghan TD said it includes a strong economic and jobs package to get people back to work "so that we can drive economic recovery, ensure balanced regional development, invest in housing and healthcare, and improve the quality of life for all our people. The July Job Stimulus will help business and create and protect jobs, especially in areas hit by Covid-19 like tourism, hospitality, retail and leisure".

Minister Humphreys also referenced what she described as "a multi-billion euro tax shield" to protect people’s incomes and ensure no increases in income tax or USC in the next Budget. "It also commits to begin to reduce them when the economy recovers. This will ensure that more people are not forced into the tax net, or for others to pay the highest rate of income tax in the years to come," she said.

"The programme is based on a genuine partnership between parties and a shared desire to work together for the benefit of the Irish people,” she concluded.

'We need a break from the past' - Tully

Cavan’s newest TD, meanwhile, Sinn Fein’s Pauline Tully has dismissed the document, saying it does not represent the change the people of Ireland voted for in the last election.

She warned that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can delay change, but they cannot stop it.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael excluded Sinn Féin from the government formation process in an attempt to deny change, to protect the status-quo and to continue with the same politics that have so badly failed workers and families," said Deputy Tully.

“Their record in government together over the past four years shows us exactly what they will do if this programme for government is endorsed by the parties involved. What we need is a break from the past, not a repeat of it," she slammed.

“That means rebuilding the economy in a fair and sustainable way, delivering affordable housing, delivering universal healthcare, making sure workers can retire at the age of 65, investing in our forgotten regions and delivering the type of real change required to tackle the climate emergency," continued Deputy Tully.

She urged those who voted for change not to give up. "The future is still there to be won. Sinn Féin will never give up because we believe that we are within touching distance of a better Ireland," she concluded.

'Ambitious programme' - Smith

Endorsing the programme, Cavan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, described it as "an ambitious programme for change with many commitments in line with Fianna Fáil policies".

He said: "In these unprecedented times we need a recovery plan with major investment to deal with the severe impact of the Covid pandemic on employment and the economy. Urgent action is needed in health, with improved public services to deal with waiting lists.

“Housing is still a huge issue and we need a much greater supply of affordable homes and social housing."

Deputy Smith said the document contains firm commitments to invest in rural Ireland, as well as additional support for farming, education and childcare; and changes to pension rules.

"The quality of life for people needs to be improved and the delivery of the commitments outlined in this programme will make a real difference for the better,” said Deputy Smith.

His views are at odds with Fianna Fáil councillors in County Cavan.

Read more on that story here.