The incumbent Stormont parties should commit to not draw MLA salaries or expenses if the Assembly remains shut

The incumbent Stormont parties should commit to not draw MLA salaries or expenses if the Assembly remains shut – Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called on the establishment parties in Stormont to commit to not taking their salaries or expenses if they do not reach an agreement to re-open Stormont.

An Teachta Tóibín stated:

“On 16^th December yet another set of talks between the five Stormont parties and the Irish and British governments will begin.

“Previous rounds of talks have ended without agreement to re-establish an executive and an assembly for the north.

“Stormont has been out of action for over 1,000 days. During that time, people across the north have been deprived of their right to democratic representation and an input at decision-making tables. One tragic outcome of this vacuum has been the direct imposition of an extreme abortion-on-demand regime from Westminster at the underhand behest of Sinn Féin and the SDLP’s leadership.

“There have been no ministers in place to take decisions and to ensure that public services are protected and the basic needs of citizens provided for.

“300,000 people are in poverty in the north. 36,000 people received food parcels last year. 20,000 families are in a state of homelessness. The suicide rate is through the roof. Farmers’ income is under threat, the north’s economy is teetering on recession and mental health funding is on the floor.

“This month nurses have taken the unprecedented step of industrial action. The strains on the health system, like the strains on so many other parts of society, are bringing people and systems to breaking point.

“At the same time that MLAs from establishment parties appear for selfies on nurses’ picket lines, they themselves are taking no practical steps at a political level to rectify this unsustainable situation. Throughout the whole period that Stormont has been inactive, MLAs have continued to avail of millions of pounds in salaries and expenses. Meanwhile dysfunction is gripping essential public services.

“I am calling on the north’s five establishment parties: Sinn Féin, DUP, SDLP, UUP and Alliance to commit to not taking any further MLA salaries or expenses if the upcoming round of talks fails to end the stalemate.

“It is unjust that workers, families and communities continue to endure a worsening quality of life while MLAs who are not representing people avail of millions of pounds.”

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.