Crisis Fatigue after 2 years of Leo’s Fiasco Factory

Crisis Fatigue after 2 years of Leo’s Fiasco Factory – Tóibín

Aontú Leader, Peadar Tóibín has said that the Taoiseach, who assumed office two years ago today, has little to celebrate on his two-year anniversary.

An Teachta Tóibín has pointed to scandal after scandal which the Taoiseach has presided over with little effective leadership on display.

Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said:

“Today marks the second year that Leo Varadkar has been Taoiseach of this state. In those two years we have been rocked by controversies. The first of these was the handling of revelations regarding the Disclosures Tribunal, and the role played by then Tánaiste Francis Fitzgerald regarding information regarding the smear campaign against Sgt Maurice McCabe she was aware of a year earlier than she stated.

“Last year the CervicalCheck scandal came to light. Owing in no small measure to gross mismanagement and lack of open disclosure, women have lost their lives. Irish women have been forced to battle in the courts to get the support they needed. The government have still failed to introduce rules that would require patients to be told when medial mistakes occur.

“Over €500m of tax payers money was poured into a hole under the National Children’s’ Hospital. The government is charging Irish citizens €3 billion for the construction of a broadband system that would be owned by private firms.

“The housing and homelessness crisis is getting continually worse with over 10,000 homeless including 3,700 children. Hundreds of thousands of Irish people and families are struggling to pay sky high rents. Many people, including those with dual incomes, are resigned to the fact that they will never be able to afford to buy a house.

“Worst of all are the daily scandals that have almost become normalised. 750,000 people on waiting lists, 110,000 people on trolleys, 300 people dying from hospital overcrowding a year, 2,500 children on waiting list for their first mental health appointment. There were nurses striking for pay parity and better conditions. GP services continue to be at breaking point.

“Clearly, Leo Varadkar has had little to celebrate during his tenure as Taoiseach.”

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.