Cllr Denise Mullen: There Isn't Even A 32 County Exit From Lockdown...

Cllr Denise Mullen: There Isnt Even A 32 County Exit From Lockdown...

Throughout this pandemic the authorities on this island could not be less in sync in tackling the Coronavirus. This is again evident as both the Southern government and Northern Executive unveil different exit strategies from the lockdown. Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen condemns the disparate approaches of the two authorities and how the well-being of the Irish people has been relegated below politics and self-interest.

Whereas the South is predicating their five-phase plan on time, the North is doing so on science and medical advice. The North is operating on a rolling basis with no strict timeline, whereas the South is operating on a timeline extending in stages to August 10^th. In the South, review of the stages and implementation is unclear and done on an ad hoc basis, whereas the Northern Executive must review regulations every three weeks. The Southern exit strategy was unveiled on the 1^st of May – the Northern Exit strategy was not unveiled until the 12^th of May.

There are further disparities in terms of what business are being reopened in Phase One. Furthermore, in the South there is a 5km restriction on travel for exercise, as opposed to the North where there are no travel restrictions for travel to golf clubs and religious venues. This follows on the heels of a statement from the Northern Executive that they had not been told of, nor briefed of the Southern government’s exit strategy prior to its unveiling.

The lack of a harmonised, all-Ireland approach to tackling the Coronavirus, to locking down the island, and to exiting from the strategy has been to the detriment to all – but in particular border communities. New Zealand have exhibited the success of utilising the advantages intrinsic in being an island combatting a pandemic – why is that neither the Northern Executive nor the Southern government sought to follow suit and unite the 32 counties’ approach to the pandemic? It seems we cannot even ensure all parts of the island exit the lockdown at the same time, let alone tackle it in harmony…

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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.