Government should not need protests to act, say young Fianna Fail TDs

Senior Fianna Fail 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 Fail, 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 Fail 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 complaint echoed the concerns of Michael Healy-Rae, an independent who supported the formation of Government but resigned as a minister of state on Tuesday citing “grave concerns” over Taoiseach and Fianna Fail TD Micheal Martin’s handling of the fuel protests.

Mr Healy-Rae said: “The leader of the country should have listened.”

The statement from the three Fianna Fail TDs reads: “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.”

Mary Butler, a Fianna Fail minister of state and the Government Chief Whip, said she would speak to the three TDs to see how the party could “alleviate their concerns”.

She said her and Mr Martin’s doors are always open, but Fianna Fail “can always do better as a party”.

Ms Butler added that the parliamentary party had signed up to a Programme of Government and it was “doing the very best” to implement that, but had faced challenges arising from “outside influences” of geopolitical tensions, inflation and tariffs.

She said the party was in “listening mode” and that had resulted in the 750 million euro in measures announced in response to rising fuel costs.

Ms Butler said every member of Fianna Fail had backed the Government in a confidence vote on Tuesday.

She added: “We are here for the long haul and we are here to put through four more budgets.

“I will speak to all three colleagues later on tonight and see what we can do to alleviate their concerns.”

Last year, Mr Martin’s leadership and decision making was also questioned following the botched presidential election campaign of tis candidate Jim Gavin.

In their statement, 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.”