Mattie McGrath accuses government of serving 'global masters'
Mattie McGrath criticised the government's approach to EU and global policy in a speech on 16 Nov 2022, arguing ministers are serving international interests rather than local constituents. He challenged energy pricing under the 1854 directive, questioned neutrality and support for foreign training, and warned that ordinary people and businesses are being unfairly burdened.
Main criticisms
The Taoiseach and the Minister of State are accused of being "gobsmacked by the EU" and prioritising global interests over people in their constituencies, McGrath said. He warned voters will judge this approach at the next election and urged a return to Fianna Fáil roots and greater empathy with citizens.
Energy policy and the 1854 Directive
McGrath highlighted the 1854 Directive, saying it is now in place and that wind energy is still being treated the same as fossil fuels in market charging. He called on officials to engage ESP and other market buyers to prevent wind being charged as fossil fuel generation, and noted ESP reported importing 250,000 tonnes of coal in one shipload.
Neutrality and military training
He questioned government neutrality and objected to training Ukrainians or others to clear landmines, arguing Ireland's army should be used as peacekeepers. McGrath noted €10 million had been provided for uniforms and equipment and said the Taoiseach appears to favour a global leadership role over neutrality.
Economic and social concerns
McGrath warned that large international companies, REITs, housing groups and data centres benefit while local businesses and households suffer. He referenced stories raised by other deputies, said ordinary people cannot return to burning turf, and described the public as "sick, sore, sorry, and tired" of globalism and government semantics.
Damage and liability funding
He referenced €10 million towards the Damage and Liability Fund and criticised what he sees as unequal burdens compared with other countries removing coal, urging meaningful action to protect Irish people and businesses.
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I too am delighted to be able to speak to this, again as usual the Taoiseach does not wait around for us to make our views, Minister of State Byrne is here, I have no issue with that, but I want to repeat what I said before, because I am concerned Minister of State Byrne now and Taoiseach Martin are complete and total gobsmacked by the EU and you are serving the global smasters rather than serving your people which you are elected to in your constituency of Mid-East Minister and the people will have to say in that when the next election comes. The tissue will probably high and dry head off to your room, I will leave you behind. One good thing that came out of the COP, and I said it is COP1 we should have, not COP, is the 2022, and that came before COP actually, 1854 Directive, and it is in place now with over a month, and we still haven't brought matters to the ESP or the other companies that are buying on the market to ensure that wind energy is not being charged the same as fossil fuels. So, the genie is out of the bottle, you can't be caught on the people, and you must do something meaningful to look after our people, because you can't follow up to look after all the business that Deputy Murnan O'Connor mentioned. We all have those businesses and those sad stories, but fundamentally flawed policy are being welded to the EU, no matter what they do, and I don't support for one, unlike Deputy Richard and others, that we train people. We have our army here as peacekeepers who have been recognised all over the world, that we train Ukrainians or others to clear landmines, that's in the name, we've already given them 10 million for uniforms and for hats. Are we neutral? Are we not? We know the Taoiseach doesn't respect neutrality, and he doesn't care, he says we must say it's out of date, out of fashion. He wants to be one of the global leaders. We're a dot here, and when Europe tried to help us with something like they've done, other countries have taken it up, but we'll be last implemented. Because we must serve the global masters, we must serve the big aisle companies, we must serve the big international companies that are in here, all the REITs, and all the different housing companies, and indeed the international data centres. So it's time that you go back to your roots in Fianna Fáil, where you were founded, and have some understanding and empathy with the people, and serve the people of Ireland. Pay our part as a proud nation in the world, the United Nations, but not be lucky for the European leaders, not be lucky for international, as I said, globalists, and it's shameful, I think, Minister Byrne. You can look at your book or whatever you're looking at, don't look me in the face here, because you can't look me in the face, because you know it's true what I'm saying. It's shameful, it's wrong, it's despicable, and we will send out, we get 10 million towards the Damage and Liability Fund then. We've been made pay up for everything, while we see Germany and other places then, all stripping out coal mines at the moment. ESP told us last week they imported 250,000 tonnes of coal in here quite recently, in one shipload. So, and the ordinary people can't burn us out of turf, the people are sick, sore, sorry, and tired of your semantics, are sick of your globalism, and are sick of your lack of representation. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you.
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