Louth PBP rep slams Government's 'authoritarian move' on Lowry

Louth People Before Profit representative James Renaghan, has said that Independent TD Michael Lowry's ‘two fingers’ gesture to the opposition in the Dáil last week, is “the expression of contempt towards ordinary people”, and claimed that the “biased Ceann Comhairle, Lowry’s lackeys and this Government are a self serving bunch and need to be ousted”.

Slamming what he has described as an “authoritarian move” by the Government, Mr Renaghan said that the Government has “forced through changes to Standing Orders to dilute and weaken the Dáil opposition, by giving the Lowry Group and other Government backbenchers speaking opportunities previously reserved exclusively for the opposition”, and that in the process Deputy Lowry, and the Government, “gave two fingers to the people of Ireland”.

Describing it as “an authoritarian move that will continue to meet resistance”, the local activist said that People Before Profit will be supporting the no confidence motion in the Ceann Comhairle this Tuesday as a necessary step in holding the Government to account.

Mr Renaghan said: “We will not accept the government's latest stroke in the service of the Lowry Group. For the Dáíl to function, there must be a robust opposition. The Government is taking action to dilute the opposition so they can hide from criticism over the extremely unpopular decisions they have their sights on, from housing, to the triple lock to water charges.

“The role of the Ceann Comhairle in ramming through this grubby deal was grossly impartial [sic]. Anyone watching the proceedings could see there was no agreement but the Ceann Comhairle forced the vote through regardless. People Before Profit will therefore vote no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle next week.

“The changes forced through last week mean that the opposition lose 69.5 minutes Dáil speaking time and Government TDs gain 56 minutes speaking time each week. This restricting of the opposition’s ability to hold the Government to account comes after the government has lied about housing delivery during the elections and when they are lying daily about the triple lock.

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“We all know there will be more falsehoods that the government will inevitably peddle about the multiple crises they have created. There is a clear picture emerging of an increasingly arrogant government. Being quiet with people actively trying to rob you, be it through water charges or the right to a proper opposition and a functioning Dáil, doesn’t get you far.

“Therefore, People Before Profit will continue to fight passionately to build power for ordinary people beyond the Dáil.”