New Government 'not representative of rural Ireland' says Sinn Féin TD
The new Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party "does not represent the change that people voted for in February and is not representative of Rural Ireland," according to Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin's TD for Laois Offaly.
In a statement issued this morning (Monday), Deputy Stanley said the involvement of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would make the new Government "the most conservative coalition this State has ever had", adding that "a Green mudguard will not disguise that."
"Regardless of what party props them up, it is in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's DNA to protect the developers, big landlords, speculators and insurance industries.
"Behind its vague commitments, the Programme for Government offers no vision or ambition to deal with the existing structural and funding issues in health, housing, childcare and our public services," he commented.
"The conservative coalition is also not representative of Rural Ireland and the makeup of the Cabinet proves this. The Taoiseach plus ten senior Ministers represent either the greater Dublin area or the city of Cork, with just four from beyond the Pale.
"To make matters worse, the Department of Rural and Community Development is now tagged on to the rear end of the much larger Department of Social Protection, with a single Minister responsible for both!
"Instead of showing commitment to transform key public services and deliver for low and middle income workers, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens promise to cut USC for those earning more than €100,000 a year, at a cost of €125 million a year. This Government is not the change that people voted for.
"The conservative parties may see it as a victory to have denied Sinn Féin entry into Government; however we will ensure that we are the strongest opposition in the history of the State," he said.
He pointed out that his party had "a much larger mandate" in the 33rd Dáil.
"We will use this to hold the Government to account and force through the change that is needed to give workers and families a secure future,” he said.