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Updated at 10.10pm
LEO VARADKAR HAS defended his proposal to ban ‘essential’ public workers from going on strike, and elaborated on what he meant by the comments, which have inflamed some unions and workers.
The social protection minister and Fine Gael leadership candidate told RTÉ’s Six One News this afternoon that he thinks it’s ‘wrong’ to portray his proposal as a strike ban.
“It’s not that. If a dispute is long and protracted, and if it goes to the Labour Court – bear in mind that the union and employer have to agree that it goes to the Labour Court – that should be the end of it.
The unions and the employers should accept the outcome of the Labour Court.
He said that this outcome would solely be for the emergency services, and stressed that it’s not just the unions that would have to accept the proposals: “…it’s the employer and sometimes the government as well”.
He also clarified other controversial comments he made over the weekend, when he said that if elected Taoiseach he would represent ‘people who get up early in the morning’.
Unfortunately there are a group of people, very often supporters of the far left, that believe they shouldn’t pay anything and that Apple, bondholders, or billionaires should pay…
“Everyone who can, should pay into the system.”
He said that the group of people who have that political ideology are ”pretty small but they’re loud”.
“[They think there should be] free education, free healthcare, free housing, but shouldn’t have to contribute to it. I think that’s dishonest: you work hard and pay into the system.”
He said that what he meant by ‘people who get up early in the morning’ was people with long commutes, parents, and carers, and he committed to ensuring that those groups would pay less tax.
Earlier
At the launch of his manifesto today, Varadkar outlined his wish to introduce what he called a ban on “essential” public sector workers from going on strike, according to Leo Varadkar.
Speaking at his policy launch in the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, the Social Protection Minister (who is already being dubbed the next Taoiseach) told reporters that Labour Court recommendations should be binding on employers and unions.
His manifesto states the public should “no longer be inconvenienced by strike action in essential services”.
When pressed on what is the definition of essential services, Varadkar said the definition would be determined by the Oireachtas.
His comments have been criticised by the head of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) Dermot O’Leary, who accused Varadkar of having an “undemocratic ‘Tory’ style mantra”.
It seems to me that Leo, in his determination to appeal to certain business interests, has decided to set course on an anti-trade union, anti-worker policy. Whilst I’m not at all surprised with Leo ‘Thatcher’ Varadkar, I would be amazed and appalled if Fianna Fail, through its supply and confidence agreement, was to support such a draconian attack on workers in this country.
When asked for specific examples, Varadkar had said emergency service workers and also air traffic controllers.
He said he did not envisage the legislation extending to health workers “across the board”, but said it could “include emergency services where it is a matter of life and death”.
When asked if it would include the gardaí, he said he does not have a difficulty with the gardaí accessing the Labour Court, but stated that as it stands at the moment, gardaí are banned from striking.
Help-to-Buy Scheme
Another item in his manifesto is sure to raise the eyebrows of his opponent, Simon Coveney.
The First Time Buyers Scheme (which is Coveney’s baby) will be scrapped if a review finds that it is pushing up property prices, said Varadkar.
He said the scheme could be “phased out”, with any money saved used on the construction of housing for older people which he said will incentivise retired people to move out of large family homes.
The eleven-page policy document of big ideas is Varadkar’s pitch to become the next Taoiseach.
Varadkar promised that those who paid their water charges will be refunded this year.
Abortion referendum
He also committed to a referendum on abortion being held next year.
He said Fine Gael should be a ”warm house for those who hold traditional views as well as those who hold liberal ones”.
He denied that the Citizen’s Assembly was a time-wasting exercise, and said the Oireachtas will now try to form a question that will be put to the people next year.
He told the media today that his personal opinion on abortion should not inform government policy, and admitted his views have been evolving on the issue.
“I am somebody who has had an evolving view on this issue, I have changed my mind a few times. I find it difficult, I struggle with it. I certainly would be in favour of removing the Eighth Amendment. I think it should be deleted and I am in favour, in a personal view of abortion in certain circumstances (fatal foetal abnormalities, rape). I personally would not favour abortion on request,” said the minister.
Tax and pensions
He wants to reduce the marginal tax rates of income tax, stating that no one should have to pay more than 50c out of every euro they earn.
There should be tax equality for all workers, re-pitching his idea that self-employed people should be able to opt in to pay more PRSI so as to avail of all benefits.
In addition, the Universal Social Charge (USC) would be merged with PRSI to make a new system of social insurance.
He also wants pensions to be linked to inflation, but said something needs to be done to tackle the figure that 35% of workers in the private sector have no pension.
He wants to enrol workers under 60 to a personal pension savings scheme, whereby contributions will be made by employees and employers. The State will provide a bonus similar to that boom-time savings scheme known as the SSIA.
What else?
In terms of Brexit, he said: “We will argue for Northern Ireland to remain in the Single Market, Common Agricultural Policy, Interreg, Erasmus and other programmes”.
However, he said he is opposed to a border poll at this time.
Varadkar wants to bring forward a new capital spending plan that will fast-track the likes of Dublin Metro and the M20.
He also wants to double government investment in the arts, culture and sport – something he says will cost €44 million per year, over seven years.
Varadkar disputed that such investments could be seen to be buying off his supporters, and said not one of the TDs that pledged their support for him have been promised jobs around the Cabinet table.
However, he did state that he had “listened to their ambitions” of leadership.
Speaking about Housing Minister Simon Coveney, Varadkar said he is an “honourable man” who is “very diligent”.
“I admire the fact he is staying in the race,” he added.
“This race is still on, it’s far from over,” said Varadkar.
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy and Gráinne Ní Aodha
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Political correctness gone mad
Yes Brian, it’s a nasty word, but context is the thing here. An innocent ‘mistake’ receiving the ultimate punishment, stupid really.
Had he said the word that would be one thing. .. but it’s in a song and plenty of black rappers are nig**r this and that with the biatches and the hoes. .. We live in a society where people are becoming addicted to being offended
I think we should ban the letter N
That would be letterist, let’s ban the complete alphabet….
I remember a memo went around a few years ago in the retail store where I worked and we were told not to say black bags when referring to refuse bags in case it was deemed offensive ! Like seriously they are black and they are bags , mad .
Coloured bags…or is that offensive too?
Did a coaching course recently and was training 11 year old lads. A few points you were made to remember were as follows:
1) Under no circumstances use the word ball on its own, always football or soccerball.
2) When picking teams at random, never have minorities in the same team (two lads in the class not ethnic Irish)
3) And finally, no matter what happens eg. a bad fall, never make any kind of physical contact eg. hand on shoulder………..
Its gone to fuc*
Baing the letter would be osense. I say o to that proposal.
Will Tim Westwood a white BBC DJ who plays rap songs which use that word sometimes dozens of times in one song,be asked to ‘fall on his sword’?
Liberalism is the new Fascism.
This is, without a doubt, political correctness gone mad. Comparing a DJ losing his job the realities of authoritarian nationalism is pure histrionics, though.
“Liberalism is the new fascism” sounds like a headline from the Daily Mail or the title of a Fox News segment.
In fairness Tim Westwood should ne sacked for a lot of reasons.
Stupid who ever complained has way to much time on their hands…..
Sure its generally black lads who use the word “nigg#r” in their lyrics so I don’t see how they can be offended! Reinstate that man.
Absolutely ridiculous. I listen to Eazy E all the time and love to sing along. I bet if the song had white trash or cracker in it, there would be no issue
The N word never doesnt appear anywhere in any of Eazy’s records
Why is everybody hating on this comment?! It’s spot on!
Do BBC not play any Kanye West?
Kanye West isn’t black. He is a gay fish
No he’s not he just likes fish sticks
But that means he’s a gay fish?
has he a beard
A gay beard.
ITV1 got in trouble about 2 years ago for playing exactly the same song, don’t think anyone was fired though. We’re deteriorating fast if we can’t accept a genuine apology from someone who was unaware he was doing anything wrong. He’s just lucky he didn’t read out Huckleberry Finn on the air, he’d be in the stocks by now.
I remember that. The presenter above has played the song many times on his show over the years. But this version was new to him. When word that he was fired reached senior levels at the BBC, in fairness, they directed he be reinstated. But he has medical condition he says has been acutely exacerbated by the stress of the last few weeks and he needs time to recover.
There should be disciplinary action for those that handled it so badly.
World gone mad. Who would know the lyrics of an 80 odd year old song. I’ll tell you, someone who is 95 with an exceptional memory. ;)This guy only looks in his 60′s. And he got the sack after one complaint. Jeremy Clarkson is allowed to insult any one and still will. The difference, he does it on purpose and his show is one of the most syndicated in the world. If I remember correct, something like 168 countries= massive revenue.
Apologies 60 countries.
Total overkill. He himself was unaware the song contained the lyric as he played a version by a different band. It was only when he played it back later he realized the reference was in the song, and it’s barely audible. He then apologised twice on air and to colleagues. It was his immediate boss that should have to fall on her sword for firing him.
Jeremy Clarkson gets a slap on the wrist by the BBC for using the N word, this guy loses his job.
Its all about money at the end of the day. Clarkson brings in serious money to the BBC so they will never get rid of him. This chap however is expendable in their eyes and his job loss is a token gesture against “racism”.
One word, ridiculous
Pure and utter madness!
What will the good old BBC call the New Zealand rugby team next year, now there’s one, us some commentator going to get the chop .
Gerry, what about the All ‘very, very, very, very, very, VERY dark blue’ New Zealand team?
Apparently, the BBC are ignoring political correctness with their Croatian sitcom, You’ve Been Serbed.
If your that easily offended, then go f&#ck off then!!!
Theres p.c. mad and theres this. Silly
I guess the BBC will never show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang again so as it depicts a child catcher,a man that uses his powerful position to impose himself on vulnerable children.
Time to break out Blazing Saddles. Up yours ni99er!!!
Ok. But we don’t want the Irish.
I get no kick from champagne.
Absolute nonsense, I think the BBC are trying to make up for something else here!
What has happened to the concept of free speech?
I am sick to death over this political correctness era. You’d be afraid to say boo to someone these days.
The meeja has been taken over by a black one-eyed, one legged lesbian who works in the vatican.
BOO….I’m so sorry,I never intended to cause pain over that gesture. It wasn’t big or clever and I now must take responsibility for my actions
Yes. I once tried to make a post with the word snig@er in it and it wouldn’t post on here.
Took me ages to figure out what was happening.
As Lenny Bruce once said, it’s not the word that’s wrong it’s the context. The man didn’t even say it. Give him a break.
Warner Brothers have added a disclaimer before some more politically risqué content.
The argument, that would be the same here, is the content is a product of its time and any censoring of the stuff would be to deny the past and where we came from. No offence is intended, but the chance of offence should diminish the cultural addition the content represents shouldn’t be erased now that our political viewpoint has expanded to closer to where it should be.
Link:
http://www.barking-moonbat.com/images/uploads/PC_Warner_Bros_cartoons.jpg
Even thejournal is at this PC crap as I can’t post a link to one of my favorite books by Joseph Conrad
Westwood
Ha, pump ma ride ,UK!
Song of Sly and the Family stone: “don’t call me N- word, Whitey! Don’t call me whitey, N- word” to put on the radio like that no jealous. I wrote whitey because I am one. Peace!
The same people who deem this dismissal appropriate would no doubt tut sanctimoniously over honour killings and stonings for heresy as “barbarous superstition”.
In fairness try reciting eeny meeny miney moe without saying the N word !
Say tiger instead of the n word,
I read at the time he mumbled that part giving viewers the idea he may or may not have said it.
Not that
I condone racism but this has
Gone way too far. Too many
Gobsh*tes are being allowed impact
Everything and anything “non PC” and it’s
Ruining good people’s lives.
Shame on them.
Whats wrong with the “N” word ?
Nothing. You should use it.
We’d like to extend a laurel and hardy hand shake to our new,,,,,,, Nixxer
Yep. PC gone way too far.
What a load of bollocvjs
While I would never condone calling someone a nig ger, it’s always a pejorative term, does it matter whether you write “n-word”, “nig***”? It’s the same word in my head.
Why was the link to The Observer article on Enda Kenny’s n***er joke removed? That joke was far worse than a DJ playing an inappropriate song and it was made by the “leader” of our country.
Worlds gone mad. Only a blinking song
Honkies be trippin yo
Its like irish people getting upset over patty instead of paddy
Check out Tim Minchin on Prejudice and how words can be used to harm. http://youtu.be/KVN_0qvuhhw
Knick knack paddy whack give the dog a bone your old man came rolling home
is that a reference to bestiality there eoin?
I was once in an oil port called Punta Cardon in Venezuela where there were many members of a black tribe that the Mormons reckon are the remnants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. They are mostly ginger so how could you describe them without breaking the PC rules? I only wish that I had a photo to show.
I’ve not heard a watered down version of fairy tale of new York with the f word removed nor Hurricane by Dylan with the n word removed.
didn’t ronan keating (or one of those other ‘boyband ‘ gobshit*s) do a version of fairytail and instead of ‘fag got ‘ used the word haggard ? either way it was dire!
Pc gone nuts in some schools now u can’t use the word black board and in the rhyme eeney meany the n word was always used so why now should we not be allowed say it this race card is something else
Double standards bet that appears in rap all the time
have your say