In an accountability free Dáil economic prudence remains a distant hope

In an accountability free Dáil economic prudence remains a distant hope – Tóibín

Peadar Tóibín, the leader of Aontú has called for more transparency from the government on their plans for Brexit. The Deputy was speaking following a revelation by an independent watchdog, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, that the current government spending plans are ‘not credible’ and that up to six billion in corporate taxes could be at risk.

Deputy Tóibín said that he supported the council’s recommendations for a “prudence account” but added that “it’s unlikely that the government will heed the advice, from the fiscal council, as the current administration tend to be flippant and wasteful with public monies. Inefficiencies and mismanagement within public services such as health are regularly blamed for overruns and waiting lists, yet there is never any plan to fix inefficiencies and mismanagement.”

Mr Tóibín went on to accuse Fine Gael of “squandering money on the national broadband plan and the national children’s hospital, without seeking the best available deal. They initially set aside 500 million for broadband but we now know that it will cost the taxpayer three billion, I want to know whether or not any of that money has been taken from the emergency reserve for a hard Brexit.”

“In the run up to the recent local elections where my party Aontú polled an average of 5% in each constituency where we contested seats, I spoke to many taxpayers on doorsteps throughout the country who feel deeply concerned about where their taxes are being spent. Therefore, I feel it important that the government release information to the public regarding their much talked about ‘Brexit fund’. The public deserve to know how much money is in that fund and whether or not the government have begun tapping into that fund already.”

“Indeed, the recommendations from the watchdog for a ‘prudence account’ struck me as an interesting choice of words, this government has proven to be one of the most wasteful governments in the history of the state. To be the authors of billions of euro of waste should lead in a functional Dáil to the government being held to account. Despite all the bluster and theatre in the Dáil this has not happened and will not happen under the FF/FG partnership. In an accountability free Dáil prudence remains a distance hope.”

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.