PRESS RELEASE

03/06/2003

One year on the facts speak for themselves. Progress report shows this Government is delivering.

Commenting on the launch of the Progress Report May 2003 which details what this Government has achieved at the end of its first year of Government, Deputy Government Chief Whip, Billy Kelleher TD. Stated. “step by step this Government is delivering and we are maintaining a steady course contrary to what Opposition Parties might have you believe.”

“The Progress Report 2003 is an honest and detailed account of what exactly this Government has achieved over the past year. I am tired and bored of hearing false accusations from Opposition Parties about what this Government is doing and I encourage them and the public to read this Progress Report on www.taoiseach.gov.ie .”

“The facts are clear and show we have kept faith in a difficult period with commitments made.”

“In the last year we have kept spending within target and achieved a budge surplus in 2002. The Labour Party wanted to raise taxes on business and on capital and therefore drive out investment while Fine Gael has spent the last year trying to disown it's economic manifesto promises.”

“The facts are –Health funding has increased by 12% and employment has increased by 6% over the past year. The roads are safer since this Government brought in penalty points and €1.25 billion has been allocated for road building. Pensions have increased and investment in education has jumped by 9% - all this has been delivered by the Government in the past 12 months.”

“This Government has spent its first full year in office providing a solid foundation for Ireland 's future. We will continue over the next four years to deliver,” concluded Deputy Kelleher.