An outspoken Dublin politician has accused the Northern Ireland Executive of “pursuing a vicious round of cuts to jobs and services which will push the economy even deeper into recession.”

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins who will be speaking at a public meeting in Belfast on Thursday 29th September, claimed “The austerity measures being implemented by all the parties in the Executive will only result in inflicting further hardship for working class communities. The fact is austerity has failed across Europe and is aggravating the economic crisis caused by the super-wealthy speculators and bankers.”

Mr Higgins who was jailed in 2003 for his role in campaigning against the introduction of the bin tax in the South added “I very much welcome the decision of trade unions to take strike action in October and November. There needs to be a united and sustained strike action in order to defend much-needed jobs, pensions and services.

The Socialist Party TD rounded on Sinn Fein for special attention, alleging “Sinn Fein’s implementation of massive cuts in education and support for cuts across all public services in the Assembly entirely contradicts their anti-cuts rhetoric in the South. It is clear workers, Protestant and Catholic, have no voice in Stormont. I hope to give as much assistance as I can to supporting the building of a real anti-sectarian alternative to the right-wing, austerity policies of all the main parties in Northern Ireland.”

Joe Higgins TD will be speaking in Belfast at 8pm Thursday 29th September at Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue (opposite BBC Broadcasting House)