In Dealing with Wolfe Crisis we should be Cautions on damaging the Separation of Powers

In Dealing with Wolfe Crisis we should be Cautions on damaging the Separation of Powers – Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has cautioned on damaging the Separation of Powers . He stated;

“The Separation of Powers between the legislature and the Judiciary is one of the key foundations on which a liberal democracy functions. Responding to this crisis by tearing down the separation of powers in an adhoc fashion is a mistake. It creates a significant precedent for the future.

Susan Denham has stated that attending a dinner in Clifton during the restrictions is not a resigning matter. What is the point in setting up the Denham process and then ignoring that process?

It is hard to work out what is the specific charge against Séamus Wolfe other than his colleagues who do not want to work with the Judge. We don’t have oversight of the interactions between Séamus Wolfe and the rest of the Judges. We don’t have all the correspondence. Are we been asked to remove a Supreme Court Judge without a clear and significant allegation of wrongdoing. Is this an impeachment in search of an allegation?

We in Aontú believe that we need to change how we select judges. It is problematic and the wrong that the selection of Judges is so political. The Judicial Council needs to be up and running for a long-term solution to who judges the judges and how is discipline for wrong doing delivered”.

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.