Tóibín submits important new Bill to reduce the cost of Insurance

This new Bill will make it illegal to lie under Oath for Personal Gain. Tóibín is submitting the bill in partnership with the Regional Group of TDs. The Bill seeks to penalize those who lie under oath for personal gain to be passed by Dáil as a matter of urgency to help curb insurance costs which are continuing to spiral out of control.

The group of 9 TDs have submitted a motion to be debated in Dáil to reinstate the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 to Committee stage next week. As soon as the committees are established, we ask our colleagues to pass this much needed legislation so that it can be swiftly signed into law. It sends a signal to all that lying under oath for personal gain is no longer acceptable. Placing perjury on the statute books is not just about penalising those who commit perjury, it is about preventing those from doing it in the first place. Tough sanctions may make someone think twice about lying and diverting the course of justice.

This Bill initiated by former Independent Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh received cross party support when it passed in the Seanad. The Government have included it in the current Programme for Government. Now is the time to action these commitments. Tóibín highlights the need to pass this Bill without any further delay, the financial consequences of perjury and fraudulent claims can be devastating to people’s lives and businesses. In some cases, resulting in people losing their livelihoods.

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.