Responding to Minister Richard Bruton’s latest press release, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Willie O’Dea TD commented, “All week Government Ministers have been rushing out press releases branding as ‘Jobs Initiative’ activity which was already funded. An incredible 78% of all capital funding announced in Tuesday’s ‘initiative’ was already in the budgets of the relevant departments.

 

“Today Richard Bruton has gone one PR stroke too far in trying to claim credit for awards made and 100% funded before the election. The tables for Tuesday’s ‘initiative’ showed no extra money whatsoever going to Minister Bruton’s Department, yet today he is claiming credit for a series of research centres and research awards. The truth is that these items were fully funded and advertised well before he took up office. Not one element of today’s announcement can be described as an ‘initiative’.

 

“This is nothing but cynical spinning – a tactic which will fast catch up with the Government as people see the huge gulf between the rhetoric of change and the reality of PR-led Government.”