The Rural Independent Group was among the 66 TDs who voted against the government in a motion of no-confidence yesterday (Tuesday, July 13th).
Ahead of the vote, TDs explained why they would not support the government, which they claim has “single-handedly set records for all the wrong reasons”.
The group pointed to a “once-in-a-generation energy and inflationary crisis and “unprecedented” housing and health emergencies.
Ahead of the vote, Michael Collins told the house that he would not support the government because of its “failure to protect the ordinary people of this country”.
He explained: “I do not have confidence in a government that stands idly by and watches the great demise of Irish farmers.”
“With the fuel and fertiliser costs going out of control, the government is asleep at the wheel. This crisis, coupled with the nitrate targets being rammed through, will further cripple farmers.”
Meanwhile, he says that the “massive” government fuel tax take and carbon tax “robbery” as electric bills rise are “fleecing” families.
City-based government
Meanwhile, deputy Richard O’Donoghue explained that he would not support the “city-based government backed up by career politicians from the county”.
He said the government is “putting everything into Dublin and does not want people to live in the counties in which they grew up”.
He said that “farmers are now being told to reduce the herd by 30% by a city-based government”.
Meanwhile, deputy Carol Nolan claimed that “the Green Party has this country run into the ground”.
She said there appears to be no “open door or political willingness” and the government is “attacking” rural Ireland daily.
Health, housing and heating
Michael Healy-Rae outlined a number of reasons why he refuses to support the current government.
He told the house that this is because patients have to travel to Belfast every month to cataract surgery, its U-turn on a “promise it gave” before the election on Shannon LNG, rising fuel prices and a proposed ban on the online sale of turf.
He told the house: “Farmers are facing emission restrictions that will detrimentally affect their farm incomes and practices. I have no confidence in the government because of that.”
Meanwhile, deputy Danny Healy-Rae said the public will “not thank the government” for the health and housing crisis, the rising cost of living, fuel price hikes and the extra tax it “is taking from them [people] without giving back hardly anything”.
Other articles on That’s Farming:
‘We won’t have as many cattle, but we will have greater income’ – Ryan
