Empowerment, Not Compulsion, When It Comes To Vaccines

Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called for empowerment when it comes to the Covid-19 Vaccine, as opposed to talk of compulsion.

An Teachta Tóibín:

As long as the Covid-19 vaccine is safe, produced ethically and effective then the policy of the government should be one of empowerment and persuasion as opposed to force or compulsion. A policy of mandatory Vaccination would be a serious mistake in terms of civil liberties and in terms of bring people without to make the process effective.

“As pointed out by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, mandatory vaccinations can have negative effect on the take up rate for vaccinations compared to voluntary vaccinations. Vaccination programmes hinge on public confidence. Compulsion will negate and undermine that confidence. The government cannot just approach every issue surrounding the Covid-19 virus with a stick, the government needs to work to persuade and inspire public confidence.

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.