Government should not need protests to act, say young Fianna Fail TDs
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association
Senior Fianna Fáil representatives expect their colleagues to “just explain their Government difficulties” to communities, the party’s three youngest TDs have said.
On Sunday, the coalition Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and several independents agreed a 500 million euro package of supports for the transport and agriculture sector – after fuel distribution in the country was strangled by major blockades of critical infrastructure by protesters from those industries.
Fianna Fáil TDs James O’Connor, Albert Dolan, and Ryan O’Meara expressed “real and deep concern” in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, stating that “it should not require protests and deep community frustration to get a Government to listen and to act”.
The three TDs said their statement was “not about challenging any individual or singling out any member of Government”, but instead about provoking the party “to do better”.
They said Fianna Fail should “listen more closely”, “speak more honestly”, and “act more ore decisively in pursuit of the common good”.
The TDs said their “most experienced” colleagues share their views.
The statement reads: “This is not a communications issue. This is not about being better on TikTok. It is about rediscovering the first principles of Fianna Fail: putting people first.”
They added: “Too often today we find senior colleagues expect us to just explain their government difficulties to our communities.
“That is not the role we want, nor will we accept it any longer.
“The policies we back in the Dáil must produce results felt in homes, schools, and workplaces across the country.”
The TDs said they would commit to restoring “trust and connection” between Fianna Fail and the Irish people.
They added: “We know our most experienced colleagues share our views.
“It is a task that has been long neglected, and recent events have not helped to repair the damage.
“The responsibility now lies with us. We will dedicate our efforts in the weeks and months ahead to ensuring that this vital reconnection takes place.”
The TDs also said they are “deeply worried” that the lesson many young people will take from the past weeks is that “our politics are not working”.
They set out a vision for a strong social contract in which “hard work and civic responsibility” is rewarded, “aspiration is encouraged”, and where Government acts as an “enabler of achievement and progress, not a gatekeeper on supports”.
They added that homeownership should be an “achievable reality, not a distant hope”.
They said: “We must face that reality that the social contract is strained to breaking point.
“Too many of our peers see no connection between what happens at the ballot box and what follows in Government.
“This disconnect threatens public faith in politics and our democracy. Our responsibility, as members of Fianna Fail and as legislators, is to help rebuild that connection.”
