Rosemary McGlone: Sinn Féin MLA Has Abdicated Her Duty

Addressing the actions or inaction of Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan, Aontú Candidate for South Down, Rosemary McGlone, has criticised her abdication of duty to the people of the North.

Rosemary McGlone: “It really is shocking that Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan has not spoken in the Assembly for over a year, missed 45 meetings of the Justice Committee and 13 meetings of the Audit Committee – upon which she sits. Sinn Féin has entirely abdicated their duty to represent the people of South Down. Notwithstanding the deselection by Sinn Féin, they had been elected to serve the people of South Down, have drawn a taxpayer-funded monies to do so and have failed the people”.

“Sinn Féin bear the responsibility here for this misrepresentation of the people and waste of taxpayer funding. They have known for over a year that South Down has been denied political representation, and have said nothing. Why would anyone vote for Sinn Féin in this constituency, when they can’t be sure the MLAs elected will do their jobs or not?"

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.