Cllr Sarah O'Reilly: Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael Budget Once Again Hits Rural Ireland

Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael Budget Once Again Hits Rural Ireland

(12/10/2021)

Responding to Budget 2022, Aontú Cllr for Cavan Sarah O’Reilly has criticised how Rural Ireland once again takes the hit on Budget Day, with punitive Carbon Tax increases and failure to address the plight of rural farmers and communities.

Cllr O’Reilly: “Rural Ireland has had to stomach far too much from this government. The Local Property Tax reforms unfairly hit rural home and landowners. The €165 billion National Development Plan confirmed the division of Ireland along the M50, and that Dublin’s development takes priority over Ireland’s development. The increase in the Carbon Tax tonight by €7.50 per tonne is going to hammer farmers and rural communities. Irish fishermen were made the sacrificial lambs of Brexit, and now the EU Commission won’t increase the quota for Irish fishermen in Irish waters. Despite Irish Beef Sector Exports Worth Nearly €24 Billion Since 2010, beef farmers still cannot get a price for their produce that covers the cost of production. The government has failed to make up CAP shortfalls, or prevent the cuts in Pillar II funding. There really needs to be greater address of the concerns of rural Ireland at cabinet and in government policies. At the moment, this government is talking at rural Ireland, as opposed to talking with rural Ireland.”

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.