Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin's Murray responds to Fianna Fáil on services directive

Published: 23 February, 2006

Sinn Féin's General Election Candidate in Mayo has responded to comments by Deputy John Carthy in relation to Sinn Féin's opposition to the new services directive. In a Statement Cllr Murray said he that he was not surprised by Deputy Carthy's comments and support for the new EU services directive. Deputy Carthy's policy is quite simply to deregulate everything and anything regardless of the consequences for rural Ireland.

In a statement Cllr Murray said. "Deputy Carthy seems to be blissfully oblivious to the long term consequences that this directive will have on his own constituents and the quality and availability of Public services in the County. Sinn Féin is steadfastly opposed to the directive. We put down a number of amendments in the European Parliament to remove sectors from the scope of the directive as well as an amendment to reject the proposal as a whole. Sinn Féin have argued vociferously that the directive will in effect commercialise almost all services within the EU and will deny millions of people the quality public services which they deserve. It also represents a considerable blow against workers' rights and social protections. The Country of Origin Principle has been renamed, but remains at the heart of the directive and will certainly bring Irish and Migrant workers into conflict."

"I therefore challenge Deputy Carthy to a Public debate in relation to this issue, if he so convinced as to the merits of this particular directive then I am sure he will have no difficulty in accepting that challenge."