Each MLA Receives Demand that they Refuse Salaries While Executive is Not Working

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD and Aontú Deputy Leader Cllr Denise Mullen have written to all newly elected and re-elected MLAs demanding they forgo their salaries until a new Executive is formed.

An Teachta Tóibín: “It would be absolutely wrong for MLAs to draw down Salaries in this Cost of Living Crisis while the Democratic Institutions are failing to operate. It is outrageous for people who cannot afford to pay their bills, feed their children or put petrol in their car, to see their MLAs get big salaries and not do their job. We have written to each MLA and have asked them to do the right thing and refuse their salaries.

The Assembly Election was meant to be about addressing the fundamental bread and butter issues hammering working families across the North. Not even a wet week after the people have had their democratic say, the DUP have ignored it and are doing everything in their political power to stop an Executive being formed.

Their leader has even refused to take up the seat he ran for in the Assembly Elections a week ago. They are treating the electorate with disdain. Aontú ran as the party of political reform and accountability: that begins with ensuring MLAs doing their jobs.”

Cllr Mullen: “On each and every door I canvassed during the election, the crippling cost of living and the multitude of crises in housing and healthcare are keeping people up at night. This election was meant to be about tackling those crises, instead people are being failed by another round of partisan establishment politics. There can be no excuses now. Aontú demands accountability. MLA salaries should be suspended until an Executive is formed. In no other profession would you be paid for refusing to do your job. Only in Stormont. Aontú is also running a petition on this key issue and we would encourage every citizen to send a message loud and clear to the political establishment, that this is not tolerable. ”

Petition address https://aontu.ie/stop-mla-salaries-if-they-refuse-to-do-their-job

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.