‘Insult to the Dáil’ – Tipperary TD slams government after surviving confidence vote
A Tipperary TD has launched a scathing attack on the Government after they survived a motion of confidence in the Dáil.
Seamus Healy (Ind) said he has no confidence in the Government, and claims the Taoiseach’s and Tánaiste’s decision to leave the Dáil chamber shows that they won’t listen to the TDs or the people of Ireland.
"The Tánaiste and Taoiseach have left the chamber. It is an insult to the Dáil and proof positive that not only will they not listen to the Irish people but they will not listen to TDs in this house.
“We have a cost of living crisis on top of a cost of living crisis, and that crisis has been deliberately worsened by Government policy, which favours the rich and powerful in our society and doubles down on the ordinary, decent working people and their families,” the independent TD claimed.
Deputy Healy said that Government measures had left ordinary people worse off in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
"The Government abolished energy credits in this year's budget. It abolished social welfare supports, leaving thousands of families worse off by up to €1,400. It hiked up income tax on PAYE workers,” he said.
"To add insult to injury, at the same time it gave hundreds of millions of euro to big developers and corporate landlords, and gave the guts of €690 million to the burger barons of the big fast-food chains.
"On top of that, the Government is presiding over a housing crisis, a disability crisis and a health crisis. Ordinary, decent, hard-working people are put to the pins of their collars to make ends meet,” he added.
Hitting out at the Government’s decision to deploy the army to move fuel protesters, Deputy Healy said that the decision was “shameful”.
"Did the Government call in the Army to deal with the far-right violent thugs on O'Connell Street in Dublin in 2023?
"I have no confidence in the Government,” he said.
Elsewhere in Dáil Éireann, fellow independent TD Michael Lowry launched an attack on Sinn Féin, who tabled a vote of no confidence in the Government, calling them “hollow, cynical and disruptive.”
"Sinn Féin are the most hollow, cynical and destructive political imposters I have ever – or this state has ever witnessed,” he said.
"While the government works for the Irish people, Sinn Féin uses their hardship as a political weapon. They seized on this moment because they have nothing else to offer only contrite 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,” he hit out.
Deputy Lowry said Sinn Féin has sought to disrupt the Government since the coalition was formed.
"Disruption has been Sinn Féin’s modus operandi from the very beginning of this Government. From the day this coalition has been formed, it sought to undermine and sabotage it for the sake of its own political advantage,” Deputy Lowry said.
Deputy Lowry voted in favour of the Government, as did north Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Ryan O’Meara, and south Tipperary Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy.
Labour’s Alan Kelly, and independent Seamus Healy voted against, while Mattie McGrath was unable to vote as he was in hospital.