Published Date:
12 November 2009
THE following is the text of the statement issued to the Limerick Leader, this Thursday by the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely.
"I fully accept that comments attributed to me by Limerick Leader reporter David Hurley were accurately recorded and I regret having made them in a way that did not accurately reflect my views.
It was not my intention to cause any offence to EU nationals who are legally entitled to live in Ireland and who have contributed much to this country. I apologise if I have done so and I unreservedly withdraw my initial remarks.
In my comments on foreign nationals receiving social welfare payments, I was specifically referring to those individuals who travel to Ireland with one the aim of taking advantage of our social welfare system.
I am conscious of the thousands of foreign nationals who are living and working in Limerick who have made our city their home.
I wish to acknowledge, as Mayor of Limerick, the huge contribution in an economic cultural and social sense and that these people have made to the city and my comments were in no way attributed to them.
My comments were also not in reference to foreign nationals who have become unemployed and are actively seeking work in Ireland.
I still am of the opinion and, so are others that have approached me in recent days, that there is abuse of the Irish social welfare system. But in seeking to highlight this I inadvertently caused offence to others, which I very much regret.
I hope this clarifies my statement and I will be making no further comment on the matter."
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Last Updated:
12 November 2009 5:45 PM
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Source:
Limerick Leader City Editio
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Location:
Limerick
