8th July 2003

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ESRI and UN reports show failure of Govt. economic strategy

Sinn Fein Dáil leader and Finance spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said the ESRI forecast of a serious economic downturn and further job losses, as well as the UN report showing the level of inequality in this State, exposes the failure of the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats economic strategy. He said the ESRI report also vindicated the demand for fundamental reform of the legal profession with a view to reducing costs.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

``The ESRI report shows up the failure of the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats economic strategy. They failed to use the unprecedented economic upturn of the past six years to rebuild our infrastructure and greatly increase social provision, as they could have done. As a result our inadequate infrastructure is contributing to the economic slowdown, while the failure to tackle social and economic exclusion means we have the highest level of poverty in the western world outside the US, as shown by today's UN report.

``The ESRI report also vindicates the demand for fundamental reform of the legal profession. Instead of making access to the profession more equitable and reducing costs, the government has concentrated solely on advertising. Once again they have failed to tackle a privileged sector of Irish society and the ordinary citizen is paying the price.''

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