Congress to Lobby EU Trade Unions on 'New Deal for Ireland'
24 Mar 2011
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to meet key trade union leaders across the European Union as part of an initiative designed to secure a 'new deal' for Ireland.
The initiative will see a senior Congress delegation meet with the Confederation of Gernman Trade Unions - Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) - in Berlin on Wednesday, March 30. The DGB represents more than seven million German workers.
Meetings are also being scheduled with Dutch and Scandinavian trade union centres.
According to Congress General Secretary David Begg, the initiative aims "to build a more accurate and balanced picture of the situation in Ireland among key civil society bodies in the EU.
"They need to understand the true nature of the crisis in Ireland and, from that, what it will take to resolve it. Crucially, they need to be made fully aware that the IMF/ EU bailout deal has failed and that if we persist with these failed policies, this country is heading for a disorganised default.
"It is a stark message, but one that has to be delivered because I do not think it has been heard across the EU.
"This is a crisis for Ireland and for the EU. It has implications that reach far beyond our shores and Congress is determined to get that message across.
"Because of the decision to guarantee the banks, our debt is so large that Ireland's 1.8 million workers will never be able to pay it back. And it is not a debt they ran up, in the first place. It demands a fair resolution."
Mr Begg said that creating a greater awareness among key EU bodies was a necessary precursor to "securing a new deal for Ireland. Obviously, a new deal is something only the Government can secure, but I strongly believe we can contribute to that process."
The Congress delegation will consist of General Secretary David Begg, President Jack O'Connor and Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney.