Navan to Dublin Rail Line left out of FF/FG/Green Programme for Government

Cathaoirleach of the Meath on Track Campaign Peadar Tóibín TD has castigated the absence of the Navan to Dublin Rail Line from the new FF/FG/Green Programme for Government. He stated;

Meath has a population that is now approaching 250,000. It is the fastest growing population in the country. Meath is now one of the most populous counties. It has the highest number of commuters per capita. The majority of workers this morning left the county to go to work. That happens in no other county in the country. Meath is unique in that regard. Meath residents commute farther than commuters from any other county, yet Navan is the biggest town in the country without a rail line.

The absence of the rail line is doing untold damage to people's lives. 3 hour commutes are damaging to mind, body and family. I have raised the commuter crisis with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael many times. I have raised it with Ministers in the Dáil. Our campaign held packed public meetings around in Meath to raise the profile of the need for this critical piece of infrastructure. As part of government formation discussions with FF and FG I raised the issue again. Representatives of both FF and FG committed to the rail line just a few months ago during the election. Despite all the talk from the Greens for the need for Public Transport infrastructure they too have let Meath down.

The Meath on Track Campaign will not accept this. We will continue to exert pressure until the logic of this service get through to FF/FG/Greens

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.