Aontú Public Meeting in East Derry with Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín & Aontú East Derry Candidate, Gemma Brolly

Aontú Cumann Francie Brolly were delighted to welcome their party leader Peadar Toibín along with members and local citizens to their public meeting on Monday 6^th December in The Roe Park Resort, Limavady. Cumann Chair Owen Roe O’Neill began by welcoming everyone to this momentous occasion in which they were launching their Cumann member Gemma Brolly as Aontú candidate for East Derry in the upcoming elections next Spring.

Ms Brolly began as Gaeilge by thanking everyone for coming along and speaking of her pride to stand as a member of Aontú. She explained how as a young girl, she had attending meetings of both Sinn Féin and SDLP but never joined as she felt she could not give her wholehearted support. However, when Aontú came along, she had no reservations whatsoever. She spoke about the lack of investment in East Derry, about the crisis we face in our Healthcare system with lack of beds, lack of respect and value for our hospital staff working on the ground and what appears to be a series of very firm moves towards privatisation.

Brolly explained how Aontú was founded with core principles and will always stand for the right to life and all rights each life entails. “I truly believe we have reached a crossroads here” said Brolly, “where we must have the courage to stand up and protect the right to life, protecting all rights and liberties within life, as is set in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Describing how their appears to be an attempt to create a tainted picture that by removing Catholic education in particular from the education system, we would essentially remove sectarianism. As someone who came through that system, Brolly firmly rebuked such claims, in fact reinforcing how it was that very system which instilled moral values, faith and open arms to Catholic, Protestant and dissenter in her experience. While Aontú support integrated education, they believe in a Pluralist state offering parental choice. You can not preach about diversity and then shut down choice.

As a teacher and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Brolly explained the extreme pressure on waiting lists and waiting times for assessment, on how Aontú will work to improve provision on the whole within our education system and also withing Gaeloideachas, where Aontú will continue to work for ‘cothrom na féinne’, a fair playing field for children in Irish medium education. The Department of Education have a statutory duty to support and promote Irish medium education, they must fulfil that duty.

Brolly ended by assuring the public she will not ask for ‘empty’ votes or regale anyone with ‘empty’ promises. She plans to work and earn those votes, fulfilling promises and driving forward with Aontú to help create a better future for the lives of one and all.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

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.