I am not going to shout but I would like to be heard. This has been a very difficult week for the country and its citizens. People are suffering and under enormous financial pressure due to the cost-of-living increases in the price of fuel due to the war in Iran. It has to be acknowledged that all of us across Government failed to respond effectively in a timely fashion and failed to listen and understand the extent of people’s worry and frustration. We all have encountered anger, resentment and outright hostility, which, in my view, arises from indecision, slow intervention and failure of communications. The protest started out with many aggrieved, hard-working, decent and respectable people who were worried sick about their future. It was later infiltrated by undesirables whose only agenda was to cripple the country and bring down the Government. Over the past week, as Independents, we have used our influence for the introduction of specific financial supports for key sectors of the economy, such as haulage, distribution, logistics, school transport, bus operators, farmers and agricultural contractors. In particular, I am happy that sole traders in these sectors can access the support funds. Our Independents, together with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers, battled strongly and successfully for a reduction in the Government tax take on fuels and the deferment of the planned increase in carbon tax. This gives a measure of respite at the pumps for the general public who depend on fuel for their daily activities. While the country faces the most serious crisis in recent history, with oil supplies disrupted in the Middle East, energy markets in turmoil, there are those in our political system who shamefully are looking to exploit the situation for their own benefit, rather than provide solutions to us to get through this dangerous time. Sinn Féin, and others on the left, have inflamed a very volatile situation. They wanted to cause the country further suffering in a point scoring exercise against the Government. I want to put this on the record today. Sinn Féin is the most hollow, cynical-----
Sentiment score: -0.18
-----destructive political imposters we have ever witnessed.
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Let me repeat. Sinn Féin is the most hollow, cynical-----
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-----and destructive political imposters I or this State have ever witnessed.
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While the Government works for the Irish people, Sinn Féin uses their hardship as a political weapon.
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It seized on this moment because it has nothing else to offer other than contrived outrage.
Sentiment score: -0.51
They are performers on stage. Time and again, they have proved they have no ability to govern, no ideas and no credibility.
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In a moment of global instability-----
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In a moment of global instability, when we need responsibility, unity and a collective effort, Sinn Féin has chosen division, disruption and political opportunism. To bring down a Government at a time like this would have far-reaching consequences for the Irish people. Legislation would stall, vital supports would be delayed and the certainty families, workers and businesses desperately need would be thrown into limbo. Disruption has been Sinn Féin’s modus operandi from the very beginning of this Government. From the day this coalition has been formed, it sought to undermine and sabotage it for the sake of its own political advantage. It is a group of people who would rather see other people fail than build something positive themselves. Then, of course, we had the usual from Sinn Féin. It followed the usual social media hit list. Politicians were named and targeted for the Sinn Féin army of online bots.
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They were directed to target, pile on and to encourage others to mount verbal assaults. Is this what is taught in Sinn Féin? This is no way to act in a democracy.
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Again this week I have seen Deputy Tóibín, for whom I have huge respect, drop the mask of pious virtue and show his true colours. He egged on frustrated people to harass and intimidate and posted the names and numbers of representatives in our Independent group. This form of intimidation is not acceptable in a democratic society.
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This is a time when Ireland needs-----
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This kind of toxic politics is doing real damage.
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It is discouraging thoughtful, talented young people from stepping forward to serve their communities. The Opposition is poisoning the well of potential candidates. This is a time when Ireland needs the best and brightest to help shape our future.
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Let me say today, as an elected representative-----
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-----I have no confidence in Sinn Féin. I have no confidence in your ability to-----
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I will be voting confidence in the Government, confidence in our country and confidence in our people.
Sentiment score: 0.87