Notes on the Front

Following a series of austerity Budgets which have shrunk
the economy, reduced social protection benefits and cut workers’ take home pay,
the time has come to look Beyond Austerity – to examine the kind of Budget we
need to stimulate the economy, put people back to work and give hope to
households and local communities.  In
this pre-Budget seminar organised by Unite, a range of speakers will give their
perspectives on Budget 2014.  The event
has been designed to maximise discussion and debate between the speakers and
other participants.

The seminar will run from 9.30 am to 2 pm on Thursday, July
11th, in the Gresham Hotel, Dublin. 

09.00:  Registration, tea/coffee

Chair:  Prof Kathleen
Lynch, UCD School of Social Justice

09.30:  Welcome/Opening: 

Jimmy Kelly, Regional Secretary, Unite

09.45:  Budget 2014 – The
Economic Context

Tom Healy, Director, Nevin
Economic Research Institute

10.15: Why Incomes Matter

Camille Loftus, Research &
Policy Analyst

10.45:  Discussion

(Chair: Eoin Ronayne, General Secretary, CPSU)

11.15:  Reversing the Cuts

Orla O’Connor, Director, National Women’s Council of Ireland

11.45:  Growing our Future

Michael Taft (Research Officer, Unite)

12.15:  Discussion, tea/coffee/sandwiches

(Chair: Ethel Buckley, National Campaigns & Equality
Organiser, SIPTU)

13.15:  Response

John Douglas (General Secretary, Mandate)

13.45:  Closing Remarks

Liam Gallagher, Unite Irish Executive Council