Sinn Féin MEPs have welcomed EU plans to enact a dedicated anti-poverty strategy.
The plan, set out by Sinn Féin’s European grouping of The Lef , sets out clear goals such as dedicated funding for governments to tackle poverty, improving workers rights and calling for a fairer distribution of wealth across society.
The plan was welcomed by Lynn Boylan, the Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin who said “I’m glad that this was passed, despite attempts to water it down by conservative forces within the parliament.”
“We now need to ensure that the Parliament’s position is respected and taken into consideration by the Commission and Member States,” she said.
“People in Dublin, and across Ireland are still struggling every day with costs that continue to go up.”
Boylan criticised the government for their “refusal” to introduce an energy credit, despite over 300,000 people being in arrears.
“The measures around fair pay, workers rights, and investment in both public services and housing can make a real difference for people,” she said.
“This is the work that the EU should be focused on, not dumping billions into militarisation.”
MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion said “I would like to congratulate all who worked on delivering this commendable piece of work, which sets out the ambitious priorities of the Parliament.
“Among other things, the report sets a goal for the eradication of poverty by 2035 and recognises recognition of poverty as a violation of human dignity, and thus undermines the realisation of human rights.”