Michael Lowry: No confidence in Sinn Féin's leadership

I'm not going to shout, but I would like to be heard. This has been a very difficult week for the country and its citizens. People are suffering and under enormous financial pressure due to the cost of living increases in the price of fuel due to the war in Iran. It has to be acknowledged that all of us across government failed to respond effectively in a timely fashion, failed to listen and understand the extent of people's worry and frustration. We all have encountered anger, resentment and outright hostility, which in my view arises from indecision, slow intervention and failure of communications. The protests started out with many aggrieved, hard-working, decent, respectable people who were worried sick about their future. It was later infiltrated by undesirables whose only agenda was to cripple the country and bring down the government. Over the past week as Independents, we have used our influence for the introduction of specific financial supports for key sectors of the economy, such as haulage, distribution, logistics, school transport, bus operators, farmers and agricultural contractors. In particular, I am happy that sole traders in these sectors can access the support funds. Our Independents, together with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil backbenchers, battled strongly and successfully for a reduction in the government tax take on fuels and a deferment on the planned increase in carbon tax. This gives a measure of respite at the pumps for the general public who depend on fuel for their daily activity. While the country faces the most serious crisis in recent history, with oil supplies disrupted in the Middle East, energy markets in turmoil, there are those in our political system who shamefully are looking to exploit the situation for their own benefit rather than provide solutions to us to get through this dangerous time. Sinn Féin and others on the left have inflamed a very volatile situation. They wanted to cause the country further suffering in a pine-scoring exercise against the government. I want to say this today and put it on the record. Sinn Féin are the most hollow, cynical, destructive political impostors we have ever witnessed. Let me repeat, Sinn Féin are the most hollow, cynical and destructive political impostors I have ever, or this state has ever witnessed. While the government works for the Irish people, Sinn Féin uses their hardship as a political weapon. They are seized on this moment because they have nothing else to offer, only contrived outrage. They are performers on a stage. They have proved time and time again they have no ability to govern, no ideas and no credibility. In a moment of global instability, when we need responsibility, unity and a collective effort, they have chosen division, disruption and political opportunism. To bring down a government at a time like this would have far-reaching consequences for the Irish people. Legislation would stall, vital support would be delayed and the certainty that families and workers and businesses desperately need would be thrown into limbo. Disruption has been Sinn Féin's modus operandi from the very beginning of this government. From the day this coalition was formed, they sought to undermine and sabotage it for the sake of their own political advantage. They are a group of people who would rather see others fail than build something positive themselves. And then, of course, from Sinn Féin we had the usual. They followed the usual social media hit list. Politicians were named and targeted for the Sinn Féin army of online bots. They were directed to target, to pile on and to encourage others to mount verbal assaults. Is this what you teach in Sinn Féin? This is no way to act in a democracy. Again this week I see Deputy Tobin, who I had huge respect for, drop the mask of pious virtue and showed his true colours. He egged on frustrated people to harass and intimidate and posted the names and numbers of representatives in our independent group. This form of intimidation is not acceptable in a democratic society. This is a time when Ireland needs... This kind of toxic politics is doing real damage. It is discouraging thoughtful, talented young people from stepping forward to serve their communities. You are poisoning the well of potential candidates. This is a time when Ireland needs the best and brightest to help shape our future. So let me say today, as an elected representative, I have no confidence in Sinn Féin. I have no confidence in your ability to lead the party. We will be voting confidence in the government, confidence in our country and confidence in our... Resume your seat, Deputy Lowry. Deputy Lowry, resume your seat.