If you’re in a fiscal hole, stop digging – Doherty

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said that “Fine Gael has been caught out cooking the books to inflate their spending plans”. The Donegal candidate went on to say that it is not good enough for Fine Gael to force our public services to rely upon a gamble that the EU will grant Ireland additional funding.

Pearse Doherty said:

“It is clear that Fine Gael has been caught out cooking the books to inflate their spending plans.

“Fine Gael are clinging to the hope that the EU will change their rules and provide an additional €1.5 billion spending power.

“This from a government that was confident that EU would agree their plans to have Irish Water off balance sheet. Fine Gael and Labour were wrong then.

“Our public finances cannot be reliant on a bet on the EU. This is not good enough for our economy and our public services.

“There is a hole in the Fine Gael manifesto they need to make clear will they continue with tax breaks for the wealthy or cut funding for health and housing.

“Sinn Fein plans for a fair recovery are fully costed and not reliant on additional funding arising from the EU. That is the only financially prudent and responsible position to take.”