There will Be Deaths as a Result of British Government Slash and Burn Budget

There will Be Deaths as a Result of British Government Slash and Burn Budget – Tóibín

Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín raised the impending austerity budget in the north in the Dáil today with the Taoiseach. The discussion took place during the Shared Island debate at Taoiseach’s questions. Deputy Tóibín stated:

“The north is in the middle of a horrific economic and political crisis. Poverty has increased to 300,000 people, hospital waiting lists have increased to nearly 480,000 people and homeless has increased to 45,000 people. The collateral damage being caused by the Undemocratic Unionist Party is horrendous. In the middle of this humanitarian crisis, MLAs are not doing their job yet they are taking wages, £4m since the Stormont elections”.

“How is it acceptable that in the jaws of a Cost of Living Crisis, the Stormont Political Establishment do not turn up for work, yet take a wage and at council drastically hike up rates on struggling families. SF, The DUP, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, and UUP are all responsible”.

“On top of this the British Government is looking to introduce cuts of up to 20%. This would be a devastating austerity budget. There will be deaths as a result of the British Government’s slash and burn budget. There will be economic misery. This will sherd the fabric of families and communities. In your discussions with Rishi Sunak and within the ‘Shared Island’ project what are you doing to stop this”?

CRÍOCH

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.