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INDEPENDENT TD FINIAN McGrath has said that “snobbery” on the part of established political parties has been a driving force in the shift towards greater support for Independents.
McGrath said the “cosy consensus politics that exists among the major political parties” cannot and should not continue.
“There is also a strong element of political snobbery as the momentum for change and reform is growing among the public. People are looking for new ideas and new solutions to the major political issues.”
The Dublin Bay North TD said that problems within parties had been created by the whip system.
“It is unreasonable to force people to go against their conscience on issues or to be silent just to suit others within a party. That approach has led to division and unstable Government,” McGrath told TheJournal.ie.
Political parties are suffering because they have pursued a view that ignores the people and seeks to impose solutions upon them. The parties have become locked in a bubble where they can only see one set of solutions and are convinced the people cannot understand.
McGrath believes political change is afoot – and he’s not alone.
Starting a new party or alliance is the political move du jour with Lucinda Creighton’s as-yet-unnamed new party getting acres of coverage over the weekend.
Relative newcomer Michael Fitzmaurice has also discussed his desire to start a new party, and Shane Ross is setting up an ‘alliance of Independents’.
‘Major political change’
Groups on the Left have also been discussing a potential alliance of their own.
Socialist party leader Joe Higgins said he and his colleagues are “in constant discussion” with groups like People Before Profit and the United Left.
Speaking on Drivetime yesterday, Higgins said “major political change” is coming and there needs to be a “Left alternative”.
He said opposition to water charges has united young and old, employed and unemployed – people who now want another political option.
“There’s a need to go way outside what considers itself the established Left or the organisational Left … to embrace this whole new swathe of ordinary people,” Higgins added.
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Scary stuff to think we’re in 2019 and this stuff is probably rife!! Good job Italian Police
@Annette: Yeah had to stop reading, some sick ppl ou there!!!!
What did I just read?? What kind of person does something like that? Sometimes I really lose hope in humanity. The pain and anguish those children and parents must have suffered is unthinkable.
Jesus. Just when I thought it could not get worse..those poor children and god love their parents..well done to the ITALIAN POLICE..I wish the family’s well
Evil bustards. Hope all found guilty hey the severe punishment they deserve for running so many lives.
I read that in total disbelief, how the hell do these sick ba$tard$ sleep at night, they couldn’t have a shred of moral decency in their entire body’s, another case of just lock them up and throw away the key.
It’s happening in Ireland too but it is being brushed under the carpet
@Anna Kavanagh: source for that claim please
@Anna Kavanagh: without evidence, your claim has no credence.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Bee Johnson: if @Anna gave you the source she would be jailed under the In Camera Rule.
Did you know that in Ireland that if you report the rape of a child to Gardai you could be jailed?
@Joe Burns: wha?
@Joe Burns: That’s utter nonsense, the in camera rule protects the identity of the child. It does not prevent anybody from reporting a crime. Social Workers have endless files of children that have been abused and raped and work closely with the Gardai to interview these children it a protected environment and I can assure you part of that process is not to arrest the person who reported the crime.
Jesus Christ! Thats like an episode of Law And Order SVU. You wouldnt think that something like that could be happening in a western country in 2019. If found guilty I hope they never see the outside of a cell again.
Disgusting
@Cathy Carroll: well one of yas did it
That is horrific. It is so sad the depths of depravity some people will stoop too for money
This world is over run with degenerate lowlifes, the future is bleak.
Sicko & poor child and well Done To Italian Police
Just the beginning by all accounts.
@Shane Dignam: yes, fake accounts notably yours.
No punishment would be great enough for these ‘people’.
Sick and evil people.
That is seriously messed up but I’m confused to the lengths they went to. surely there are plenty of children already in the care system that they could of “sold” if money was their primary goal?
@Bee Johnson: Our ‘Religious ‘ people done it.!! Sold our children to the highest bidder,.
@ÓDuibhír Abú: oh I get that but assuming they were doing this to sell off “healthy” children, but now they are selling damaged children anyway so what was the point. We pay foster families here and we still can’t find enough families
I can’t believe we’re seeing this kind of abuse from actual officials in any European country.
I know we were worse at one stage but that was when the church ran the show. This is Bananas
Tusla Social Workers are Coaching Children Telling them the have being Abused Tusla also are Inflating Falsifying Tusla Files of Abuse to take Children into Care …. Maurice McCabe is the Tip of the Ice Berg…..What Happened in Italy is also happening in Corrupt Ireland …..
@Mark Lamb:
Nothing new sadly, human trafficking the only true remnants of the Roman Empire. Really hope these guys, and their customers, see nothing but cells for the rest of their days. Well done Italian police/whistleblowers!
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