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Shameful Undermining of Opposition’s Speaking Rights by Government Parties

Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has condemned the government’s disgraceful curtailment of opposition speaking rights, and their attempts to consign opposition voices to the graveyard shift.


Tóibín: “The opposition represent hundreds of thousands of first preference votes from across the country, and who are vital cornerstones of our democracy. The decision by the government parties to censor the voices of opposition within our democracy and to dilute the votes of Irish people. This is the case of the government stopping opposition TDs from doing their jobs, as opposed to the government doing their jobs. Constituencies are essentially being told that if they want their issues raised in the Dáil, then the government is their option. Being held accountable by opposition TDs helped pressurise and scrutinise the government on healthcare, on housing, on the deaths in nursing homes, on the cervical check scandal – the government is doing it’s best to avoid the pressure and accountability opposition TDs bring to bear.”


“Opposition voices are being consigned to the graveyard shifts. The government is getting primacy to ensure the government’s line is most prominent. This government bypassed the Dáil during the pandemic, and this vote seeks to crystallise their increased power and decreased authority of the Dáil.”

By Aontú Press | 31 July, 2020



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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.




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