Andrew Carey
UPWARDS of two dozen protestors waited outside a private Limerick college for the arrival of Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan as part of a protest campaign against the Government’s implementation of water charges.
Minister O’Sullivan arrived at the Limerick College of Further Education launching College Awareness Week when she was met by the small group but insisted “most reasonable people” will see the government has responded to concerns with reviewed water rate package.
“I believe the announcement last week has been reasonable. It has addressed issues of affordability and the issue around the PPS numbers and the issues around certainty into the next few years. I think that most reasonable people will see that the government has listened to people’s concerns about the charges and we have responded.”
When asked if she was nervous about continuing protests given what happened her party leader and Tanaister Joan Burton in Jobstown recently the Limerick TD said:
“The people here have been calm and there hasn’t been anything that people would be concerned about. What happened to Joan Burton was a disgrace but this hasn’t happened here.
“I did a number of events in Limerick on Friday and there weren’t any protests. I see that amongst the protestors are some of the representatives of the Anti Austerity Alliance so clearly those people will continue to protest but I think the vast majority of people will accept that we have listened and we have responded.”
Minister O’Sullivan insisted that people are entitled to protest as we live in a democracy and admitted she has protested herself in the past.
When asked about the latest political opinion polls which show support for Labour continuing to languish Minister O’Sullivan admitted the party needs to start focussing on the positive and getting the message out about economic recovery.
Minister O’Sullivan was in Limerick to launch College Awareness week at Limerick College of Further Education where she will be taking part in a number of events including doing an interview with the media students about life as a politician.
Meanwhile, Anti Austerity Alliance representatives in Limerick say further protests over water charges are planned to take place this Monday night in Limerick when the Taoiseach will meet Fine Gael activists and party members at the Greenhills Hotel.
Mr Kenny is in Co Clare this Monday for a number of functions including the announcement of 100 news jobs at specialist healthcare recruiter TTM Healthcare Group outside Ennis and a luncheon with the Shannon Chamber.
