Austerity Ireland
Jim O Connell
Press Release
Academics Launch new book critical of austerity policies
Austerity Ireland
Isaac's Hotel, MacCurtain St. Cork ,
Wednesday October 23rd 8pm
Pubic Meeting All Welcome
More Info: 086 3556482
Academics Kieran Allen and Brian O'Boyle,have written a new book to offer a critique of current economic policies.
The book, which is entitled Austerity Ireland, is based on detailed factual evidence to show that austerity policies have failed.
Kieran Allen, a sociologist who works in UCD, said, 'Figures show that the wealthy have effectively gone on an investment strike. A mere €16 billion is being invested in Ireland compared to €46 billion in 2007. This is unsustainable and means that unemployment and emigration will continue for some time'.
'Ireland is being re-configured as an Atlantic tax haven. Giant companies are increasingly locating in Ireland to get a base to cover their tax dodging activities and providing few jobs. Only 7 percent of the labour force now work for foreign multi-national companies'.
'One reason why the government rejects any small tax on financial speculation – as proposed by the EU commission itself – is that we have become a major centre for 'tax planning by big corporations'.
Austerity Ireland is based on detailed empirical research which shows exactly how Ireland is currently functioning as a tax haven.
Brian O Boyle , an economist in St Angela's College, NUIG said,
'Austerity has been driven by mainstream economists who singularly failed to predict the crash in the first instance. People should be far more sceptical about ideas of 'expansionary austerity' which is peddled in the media by these professionals'.
'Our book is designed to offer a serious economic and sociological challenge to the mainstream view. It provides an alternative reading of economic policy that provides ammunition to those who oppose bank bail ours and cutbacks'.
Isaac's Hotel, MacCurtain St. Cork ,
Wednesday October 23rd 8pm
All Welcome
Hosted By: Socialist Workers Party Cork
More Info: 086 3556482