Richard Boyd Barrett Opposes Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael Nomination
Richard Boyd Barrett said he will not support the nomination of any Fianna Fáil or Fianna Gael Taoiseach, arguing the parties were implicated in attempts to mislead the public. He criticised recent parliamentary manoeuvres and condemned a planned two-week parliamentary break amid housing and health crises.
Richard Boyd Barrett announced his opposition to the nomination of a Fianna Fáil or Fianna Gael Taoiseach, stating clearly that his grouping will not support the nomination. He framed the decision as a response to actions he said undermined democratic expectations and public trust.
He accused Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael of being implicated in an attempt by so-called independents, the Healy Rays and the regional group, to "insult the intelligence of the people" by claiming to be in opposition despite being party to the programme for government. He said a united opposition and public outrage forced those independents to backtrack on the proposal.
Richard Boyd Barrett criticised the decision to allow another two-week break in the Dáil while the country faces almost three months without a fully functioning Dáil. He challenged whether vulnerable groups would get respite during the break - asking whether children in emergency accommodation, Section 39 workers, nurses, health workers or people waiting on hospital lists would experience any relief.
He insisted the Dáil should be meeting to address the crisis of housing and homelessness and the "absolutely disastrous situation" in the health service. He highlighted pressure on Section 39 workers and health staff and cited widespread industrial action as evidence of systemic problems. He concluded by reiterating his opposition to the nomination.
Nomination stance
Richard Boyd Barrett announced his opposition to the nomination of a Fianna Fáil or Fianna Gael Taoiseach, stating clearly that his grouping will not support the nomination. He framed the decision as a response to actions he said undermined democratic expectations and public trust.
Allegations about independents and party involvement
He accused Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael of being implicated in an attempt by so-called independents, the Healy Rays and the regional group, to "insult the intelligence of the people" by claiming to be in opposition despite being party to the programme for government. He said a united opposition and public outrage forced those independents to backtrack on the proposal.
Criticism of parliamentary scheduling
Richard Boyd Barrett criticised the decision to allow another two-week break in the Dáil while the country faces almost three months without a fully functioning Dáil. He challenged whether vulnerable groups would get respite during the break - asking whether children in emergency accommodation, Section 39 workers, nurses, health workers or people waiting on hospital lists would experience any relief.
Focus on housing and health crises
He insisted the Dáil should be meeting to address the crisis of housing and homelessness and the "absolutely disastrous situation" in the health service. He highlighted pressure on Section 39 workers and health staff and cited widespread industrial action as evidence of systemic problems. He concluded by reiterating his opposition to the nomination.
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Transcript
We won't be supporting the nomination of any Fianna Fáil, or for that matter Fianna Gael, Taoiseach. And there are many reasons for that, but we found one of them this week, where Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael were implicated in an attempt by so-called independents, the Healy Rays and the regional group, to insult the intelligence of the people of this country and to undermine our democracy by trying to claim they were in opposition when they are a party to the programme for government and are committed to supporting that government. Thankfully, a united opposition and public outrage has forced them to backtrack on this absurd proposal. But it is utterly outrageous when we are facing almost three months without a functioning doll that there is going to be yet another two weeks off. As somebody said to me on the street today, coming in here today, do you think children living in emergency accommodation are going to get two weeks' respite from the hardship and suffering they are enduring? Do you think the Section 39 workers or the nurses or the health workers who have run off their feet in our hospitals are going to get two weeks' respite from the stress they are under? Or do you think that people who are waiting in pain for hospital procedures on waiting lists are going to get two weeks' respite from the suffering that they are enduring? It is an insult of this government to start off with another two-week break when we should be meeting to discuss the crisis of housing and homelessness that is blighting the lives of tens of thousands of people in this country. The absolutely disastrous situation in our health service that has led those Section 39 workers and health workers en masse to Ballast for Industrial Action. We oppose this nomination.