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Aontú is proceeding to the High Court this morning over RTE Leaders debate

Leader of Aontú Peadar Tóibín has stated:

 

 

"We will be notifying the High Court this morning of our intention to make an application for an injunction later in the day in relation to the exclusion of Aontú from the RTE Leaders’ debate. We believe that election debates should be fair and open to facilitate citizens in making an informed decision on policies and parties when casting their vote.

 

 

"It makes no sense to exclude one of the eight parties with Dáil representation from the debate. The recent EU elections saw RTE facilitate debates with 8 and 9 candidates. One of the criteria for inclusion in those debates was that the participant was a TD elected to the Dáil. The changed criteria for inclusion is arbitrary and unfair in our view.

 

 

"It has been argued by RTÉ that a registered group of independents and a party located solely in Tipperary are comparable to Aontú and this is the reason for our exclusion. We have 26 candidates, we have already 6 elected reps, 2,000 members and have gained just under 35,000 votes to date. There is no comparison between Aontú and these other organisations.

 

 

"If this exclusion stands then any new political party such as Aontú will never be given a chance to challenge the political establishment in a live leaders’ debate. This is an incumbents' paradise. It protects the establishment incumbent parties from challenge.

 

 

"Aontú received a higher vote than the Soc Dems and People Before Profit in the recent by-elections. We received a higher vote that People Before Profit in the recent local elections. We are just 1 TD behind the Soc Dems in Dáil numbers and yet those two political parties will be allowed to participate in RTÉ's debate.

 

 

"We are calling on RTE at this late stage to reverse their stance to achieve a fair outcome."

 

 

 

By Aontú Press | 27 January, 2020



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In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.



Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.



Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.




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