Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams visits Lucan - Press Release 5 February 2008

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams visits Lucan

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today met with constituents and several campaign groups in Dublin, including the Liffey Valley Park Alliance in Lucan. Mr Adams was joined in the meeting by local Sinn Féin representative Robert Ballesty.

Mr Ballesty said, "I and Sinn Féin party president Gerry Adams, met the Liffey Valley Park Alliance. We support their initiative for a designated park for the Liffey Valley, an area that should be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. We have pledged our party's continued support to the Liffey Valley Park Alliance and commend their dedication and work to date."

In response to today's live register figures, Mr. Adams said: "Today's announcements on job losses was the first topic of conversation for all of those we met. The fact that unemployment figures have soared to 9.2% with a projected unemployment figure in excess of 400,000 expected by the end of 2009 is a very daunting reality for families to face. This coupled with increased taxes, cuts in public services and rising cost of living expenses is causing massive anxiety. This is compounded by the government's failure to provide clear leadership or spell out its strategy to get Ireland working.

"The economic challenges are sizable but they can be overcome with honest leadership and decisive action. The starting point must be stimulating the economy. This means putting in place measures to encourage economic growth, including economic strategies which invest in jobs, in people and in public services.

"Now is the time for new ideas, new thinking and real change."