View Irish language version of this page JOIN US DONATE


Aontú to Table a Bill to Remove Ministers Without Mandate

Aontú seeks to introduce a Bill into the Dáil that will necessitate the replacement of unelected Ministers and Junior Ministers with elected TDs. According to the Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD;

 

 

 

 

“100 days after the General Election we have a Taoiseach with no Mandate, a Cabinet where some Ministers are unelected, a legislature that cannot legislate and a newly elected Dáil with very little ability to scrutinise or hold to account. That this democratic deficit would be allowed to continue for so long in the teeth of a such a crisis is absolutely wrong. In no other sector of Irish society would such as dysfunctional decision-making process be allowed”.

 

 

 

 

 

“100 days ago the Irish people voted. The result of that democratic vote is being denied to the Irish people while the government without a mandate is making decisions which will have long-lasting ramifications for the economy and future of the Irish people. Ultimately this needs to be addressed by FF, FG and the Greens by bringing their never ending government formation low set to a conclusion”.

 

 

 

 

 

“However, our Bill, if implemented, would in future, bring to an end unelected Ministers such as Regina Doherty, Shane Ross, Katherine Zappone and Ministers of State such as Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Michael D’Arcy, Catherine Byrne, Pat Breen and Finian McGrath remaining in office indefinitely on a Ministerial salary. This would give some effect to the democratic process, improve accountability of Ministers and would save the state money. It is estimated that the current practice of maintaining unelected Ministers is costing the state €40,000 a week. There is also a potential exposure to the exchequer in terms of increased pensions in the future as the terms of Ministers and the Taoiseach are undemocratically prolonged”.

 

 

 

 

 

“The Aontú Bill seeks to ensure the prompt appointment of successors to Ministers and Ministers of State who have as a result of a general election ceased to be members of the Oireachtas. If this Bill is passed, in future before 6 weeks after a general election has elapsed, the Taoiseach must with the approval of the Dáil, nominate for appointment by the President the successors in office of those Ministers who have ceased to be members of a House of the Oireachtas. In the cases of Ministers of State the same timescale remains in place put the approval for the selection of new Ministers of State remains in hands of the Government”.

 

 

 

 

 

“We understand that this legislation cannot be passed through the Oireachtas until a new Seanad has been completely formed however this Bill is not just for the present but also the future. Also, each House of the Oireachtas is individually responsible for its own work and we have a responsibility to resolve this blatant democratic deficit”.

 

 

 

 

By Aontú Press | 18 May, 2020



Related Posts


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.




JOIN US