2016 EU budget reinforces austerity with its neoliberal agenda

Leagan Gaeilge thíos

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Rida has said that the EU budget for 2016 will deliver even more austerity for the citizens.

Ní Riada, who is a co-ordinator of the EU budget committee, said that the European Union is avoiding the change of direction that is so badly needed.

Speaking from Strasbourg today, after the vote on a mandate for negotiations on the EU 2016 Budget, she said;

“The mandate for the EU 2016 budget, while showing slight improvement, is a song from the same old hymn sheet. This budget will reinforce more austerity with a neoliberal agenda.

“In the midst of the Greek and EU crisis, surely it is time for a change of direction. It is time to address the needs of the people and actually commit to decent jobs and quality employment. We must see a commitment to smart and sustainable growth.

“We need enhanced support of cohesion policies and it is crucial that we support countries which are facing social and economic constraints.

“The hangover we have inherited from 2007 – 2013 Multi Annual Financial Framework is ongoing. 2014 – 2020 EU programs will not be really initiated before mid-2016. If we are genuinely looking to resolve some of the issues, let’s have that MFF revision.

“By delaying the review, we are doing a great disservice to people who are relying on EU funded programs. Delaying payments is exacerbating and stunting economic growth. We have a duty to our citizens to do the right thing. The right thing is to really invest in people. The negotiations with the council will start this July and I urge the Council to have a socially progressive European Union at the heart of the talks.”

Óráid Liadh sa Pharlaimint

Liadh Ní Riada, thar ceann an Ghrúpa GUE/NGL. – A Uachtaráin, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Uasal Fernandes i gcomhair an obair go léir a chuir sé isteach sa tuarascáil. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil roinnt pointí comónta eadrainn, cé go bhfuilid go beag, ach ar a laghad tá siad comónta.

Cé go bhfuil feabhas éigin tar éis teacht ar an mandáid i gcomhair 2016, ní féidir a rá go bhfuil go leor athruithe déanta. Tá tuilleadh déine ann, polaitíocht dhiúltach, agus clár nualiobrálachais atá á neartú ag an mbuiséad.

Caithfidh gur comhartha í an ghéarchéim atá faoi lán tseoil sa Ghréig go bhfuil gá ann an treoir dhamáisteach seo a athrú. Ba chóir dúinn díriú ar riachtanais na ndaoine, fostaíocht ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil, agus gealltanas a thabhairt maidir le fás inbhuanaithe cliste.

Is é an rud atá uainn chomh maith ná níos mó tacaíochta do bheartas comhtháthaithe, agus tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go dtugaimid tacaíocht do na tíortha sin atá ag streachailt de bharr srianta sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta.

Táimid fós cráite, ar ndóigh, mar gheall ar an gcreat airgeadais ilbhliantúil 2007-2013. Ní bheidh clár 2014-2020 an Aontais Eorpaigh tosaithe roimh lár 2016 agus ba chóir athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcreat airgeadais ilbhliantúil. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn an rud ceart a dhéanamh ar mhaithe lenár saoránaigh, agus fíorinfheistíocht a dhéanamh i ndaoine.