Newbridge asks: 'Where are the Lisbon jobs now?'

kildare | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Sunday August 15, 2010 15:03 by barryg

Up to 30 people took part in the ‘Where are the Lisbon jobs now?’ demonstration in Newbridge town centre on Saturday.

Demo in Newbridge

Up to 30 people took part in the ‘Where are the Lisbon jobs now?’ demonstration in Newbridge town centre on Saturday, 14th August. The demonstration was organised by the People’s Movement who campaign against the further federalisation of the EU and for the defence of sovereignty, democracy and social justice in Ireland.

People were out in response to the spiralling jobs crisis and to demand the jobs which were promised by the ‘Yes camp’ during last year’s re-run of the Lisbon referendum. The large turnout seems to reflect the concerns of the people Co. Kildare and Newbridge in particular which has been hit extremely hard by the economic downturn, the once prosperous and jewel in the crown of the so-called ‘Celtic Tiger’ has become an unemployment black spot. Yes posters from last year’s referendum promising jobs and prosperity were paraded and leaflets handed out, receiving a great response from the public.

Speaking afterwards local activist Barry Healy stated “we are all aware of the jobs crisis and its devastating effects in this country and Newbridge in particular, peoples anger, frustration and concern was communicated loud and clear today. The yes vote didn’t halt this trend in fact it has accelerated. These promises were nothing more than a political con to engineer a Yes vote”. Speaking further he added “none of the major political parties appear to have a solution to the crisis. The current government is determined to spin that the recession is over but unemployment continues to rise to record levels. It seems their plan is to drive another generation to the four corners of the world which must not be allowed to happen if this country is to have a future”.

This is one of many such demonstrations and public meetings planned for the coming months throughout Ireland by the People’s Movement.