MEP calls on Mayor of Limerick to resign
THE Mayor of Limerick, Kevin Kiely is facing calls for his resignation after he called for the deportation of EU nationals who have failed to secure work here and are claiming social welfare.
In an interview with the Limerick Leader Mayor Kiely said: "We are borrowing €400 million per week to maintain our own residents and we can't afford it. During the good times it was grand but we can't afford the current situation unless the EU is willing to step in and pay for nonnationals.
The comments caused a national storm and following widespread criticism, Mayor Kiely subsequently clarified them: "The people I am talking about are the people who are abusing our lucrative social welfare system and who are flying in here from EU countries and who have no interest in obtaining employment here. I have no issue with those who have been in this country for a number of years and who are entitled to claim benefits."
Ireland South MEP Alan Kelly called for Mayor Kiely to resign in the wake of his remarks. "I find those comments outrageous, for a Mayor of a city like Limerick which has always been welcoming to people to come out with comments like that is absolutely outrageous," he said.
"It smacks of right wing comments which I am more used to hearing from right-wing far right parties in Eastern Europe and Britain rather then someone in my local city."
And a spokesperson for Fine Gael said: "Kevin Kiely is expressing his own opinions and these are not Fine Gael policy."
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Weather for Limerick
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
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