News Information
News Summary:
Thousands of members of IMPACT, their families, and members of other public service unions are visiting the constituency clinics of TDs throughout the country today (Saturday), to voice their anger at the proposed levy on public servants. The levy was announced last week by the Taoiseach, following the breakdown of talks between the government and the social partners.News Content:
Throughout the week, IMPACT members have been writing to TDs of all parties to express their concerns and explain how the levy would affect their household income.
General Secretary of IMPACT Peter McLoone said, “Since the levy was announced by the government last week, we have witnessed a huge outpouring of anger by our members. They have said to us consistently that while they were ready to share the burden of economic recovery, they were angered by the way in which public servants were singled out for such a harsh and inequitable penalty.
“Our members know that the levy will not create jobs, it will take money out of the economy at a time when it is badly needed, it will increase the consumer migration north of the border, and it will hurt ordinary families who are getting by on ordinary incomes.
“The wealthiest interests in the country, senior bankers, speculators and developers, have conceded nothing. The banks have been recapitalized with taxpayers money, and we have discovered that some of those banks have been involved in very questionable financial activities. Our members have witnessed this, and feel that the governments demand to ‘share the pain’ has little or no credibility in this context” he said.
Mr McLoone said that members began visiting clinics yesterday, and the aim of the campaign was to ensure that every TD returns to Leinster House next week having already met public servants in their own constituencies to discuss the levy.
Mr McLoone added, “Public sector workers have been routinely vilified to the point that there has been a successful process of dehumanisation. It is now very easy for any commentator to talk about ‘public servants’ as though it were a homogenous mass of faceless pen-pushers. That makes it much easier to scapegoat public servants as a group, and introduce deeply inequitable measures to address economic crises.
“These are the low and middle income workers who are repaying mortgages, commuting long distances and raising children while providing public services. The levy takes between €1,500 and €2,800, from these workers. Many will cancel their health insurance and more pressure will be placed on the public health system. Others will no longer be able to support local businesses through their day to day spending.
“Our members are prepared to make a sacrifice for the common good. They don’t wish to avoid their responsibilities as citizens when it comes to responding to a crisis. Public servants are ready to assist in the process of economic recovery; they simply want to ensure that measures are fair and that vested interests aren’t allowed to walk away scot-free.
“Ordinary workers in both the private and public sectors are being forced to bear the brunt of the economic crisis, and attempts have been made to pit private sector and public sector workers against each other in this debate. This is a distracting device to ensure that workers are forced to take all of the pain. Public sector workers are well aware of the hardship and difficulties facing a lot of private sector workers. They live in the same communities; they are members of the same families. The levy, however, will do nothing to alleviate the difficulties facing private sector workers at the moment” he said.
Among the lobbying events taking place include:
In Dublin, a large number of constituents are expected at Cyprian Brady’s clinic at St Luke’s in Drumcondra from 10.30am.
In Limerick, public servants from a number of unions will lobby defence minister Willie O’Dea’s constituency clinic at 2 Glenview Gardens, Farranshone, Limerick, between 1.30 and 2.30pm.
In Wicklow, the local IMPACT branches and supporters will lobby Dick Roche’s constituency clinic in Murphy’s Pub, Main Street, Arklow from 10.30am to 11.30am.
In Donegal, 12 public servants will arrive at Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s constituency office at noon with a Valentine’s card and 12 roses with a request to re-think the levy.
Other lobbying events that have been organised include:
IMPACT’s Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown branch has invited all local TDs to address their AGM on Tuesday 17th February at 5.00pm.
Local TDs have also been invited to a meeting with members in Galway next Monday, 16th February, at 1.00pm in The Menlo Park Hotel.
A meeting of TDs is also being arranged in Roscommon on Monday 16th February at 1pm (venue to be decided).
