TDs raise concerns about the public’s disengagement with politics

Some of the TDs pitching to become the next speaker of the Irish parliament used their speeches to raise concerns about the public’s disengagement with politics.

The nominated candidates – which included Independent Verona Murphy, outgoing Ceann Comhairle (speaker) Sean O Fearghail, Fianna Fail’s John McGuinness and Sinn Fein’s Aengus O Snodaigh – made separate pitches to the Dail.

Ms Murphy emerged with the most votes following a deal between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael with the Independents to form a new government.

She is now the first woman to hold the role of speaker.

The counting of the ballot papers got under way at 12.15pm and the Dail returned at 3.30pm where Ms Murphy was confirmed as the Ceann Comhairle.

During their speeches to the House, a few of the candidates criticised the parliament’s relationship with the public, with Ms Murphy saying the public feel politicians are “removed from the reality of day to day life”.

The Independent Wexford TD said that newly-elected TDs must be the voice of their communities.

Ms Murphy said: “In order to ensure that every member is heard, this House must function smoothly and efficiently.

“Every member is equal, irrespective of their political persuasion, political party or grouping, every member has a mandate, and no one mandate is more important than the other. If elected as ceann comhairle, I will uphold these simple principles.

“Much debate has been heard around the turnout in the recent election. In many constituencies, the turnout dropped below 50%.

“Large numbers of people in the electorate feel alienated from the political process. They feel politicians are removed from the reality of day to day life. They feel that this chamber is a talking shop that achieves nothing.

“It is incumbent on all of us to change that perception, to make the House more relevant to those that feel excluded.”

Fianna Fail’s Mr O Fearghail said that people looking in at Leinster House do not feel “engaged” in the political system.

“At times, they are frustrated and they feel disenfranchised, and it is up to us to change that. 40% of our people did not vote in the general election,” Mr O Fearghail added.

“We must aim to include, not exclude, to engage and not isolate. To change this, we need to come together and overcome what are relatively minor difficulties very often between us.”

Mr McGuinness said that the Dail parliament can often be “sidelined”.

He said that “the government” can sometimes be reduced to “just the Cabinet” or “just the leaders of the groups in that coalition”.

“I believe that this house has to exercise its strength and its caution around all of the changes that have occurred in politics,” he said.

He added: “The last General Election told us that we need to build trust with the citizens of this country.

“We need to restore that trust, and I believe the first step in the restoration of that trust is the election of our ceann comhairle, is the changes in our democratic structures to reinforce them in the interests of the people that we represent, and to ensure that we work together.

“To ensure that we deliver for our citizens, that we keep the government accountable to this House, that ensure assure transparency and that we ensure that the government keeps its people safe.”

Meanwhile, Mr O Snodaigh said that it is important that the person elected can speak Irish in what is a bilingual chamber.

The party’s spokesman for An Ghaeilge said a parliamentary chair is needed who can monitor comments in either English or Irish, and pointed out that the first official language of the state is Irish.

He said that the person elected should also be impartial and someone who, rather than “seeking the limelight for themselves”, facilitates the House coming together.

“This is vital to ensure the primacy of the Dail and your rights as a Teachta Dala, whether a government backbencher or an opposition TD hold ministers accountable and defend the interests of your constituents and ensure that the public trust in our democratic institutions and the checks and balances.

“As a parliamentarian, you have been asked to choose the person you best think suited to hold this high office, which is not in the gift of the taoiseach of the day.”