As the coalescing political parties scrutinise in detail the proposed Programme for Government (PFG ) with a final decision of acceptance due by the close of this week, local Councillors representing the respective representatives afforded their views on the policy laden document, a roadmap for the five year term of office to come.
Town Mayor and Fianna Fáil Councillor, Aengus O’Rourke, spoke of the need to work for the respective party personnel to work cohesively as a unit to ensure the best outcomes for towns, counties and country, noting that he would be voting in favour of the PFG.
“For me, the very best example of this kind of co-operation was the close working relationship we had in the Athlone Municipal District from 2014 to 2019 where as a group of Councillors from all parties and none, we came together on every issue and worked it through no matter what, in five years there was never a political point scored within the chamber.
“I expect that to be the same for this current term too, in the new Athlone/Moate Municipal District area. On a national level it is no different. When required the willing parties should roll up their sleeves for the sake of the country and get on with it.
“Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and The Green Party represent different traditions and we all believe in many different things. However, the proposed Programme for Government that the three parties have signed up to is one that I believe can work and should work if all three parties play their part in full.
“We can have no more lengthy negotiations, and no more ‘who’ll talk to who’. The country needs a Government to begin the difficult job of restoring our economy, getting people back to work and getting our children back to school,” Cllr. O’Rourke asserted.
The Town Mayor referenced Sinn Féin’s inability to form a Government following their General Election showing.
“Sinn Féin tried to form a Government but early on it was clear that they could not make up the numbers. We now have three parties with a firm and credible proposal before us. Collectively, the three parties secured close to 75 percent of the votes in the February general election.
“If this programme for Government fails to get the backing it requires from all three parties there would more than likely be a General Election in September and furthermore, we could find ourselves with another inconclusive result. Lurching from uncertainty to further uncertainty would be a disaster for our country, our economy and our people and for these reasons I have voted yes,” Cllr. O’Rourke stated.
Fine Gael Councillor, John Dolan, will not be accepting the proposed Programme for Government, acknowledging that policies enclosed within, if approved, will have a detrimental impact on rural Ireland.
“While I am of the belief that the PFG will be accepted by our political party I will not be voting in favour of this policy document. As a farmer and a representative of a rural community, I hold serious reservations with regard to the implementation of a number of policies in this Programme for Government and how they will detrimentally impact upon the agriculture industry,” Cllr. Dolan stressed.
The Fine Gael Councillor also holds reservations with regard to the Green Party entering a coalition Government.
“There appears to be a lot of internal strife within the Green Party at this time and you would have concerns with regard to how the party would react when a major decision has to be taken during the course of a five year Government term,” Cllr. Dolan added.
Noting that Fianna Fáil party leader, Micheal Martin, was a “fine” politician, Cllr. Dolan stressed that the Cork native had a “hard act to follow” following Deputy Leo Varadkar’s term as Taoiseach.
“In the main, it is a good Programme for Government, but unfortunately, I won’t be voting ‘yes’ and I have made my views known to my party colleagues,” Cllr. Dolan concluded.
Believing that the Green Party should enter the Programme for Government in “good faith”, elected representative, Cllr. Louise Heavin, is of the view that the ‘Our Shared Future’ document will be hugely positive and transformative for rural Ireland.
“The Programme for Government addresses the climate challenge issue directly, framed around the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals to 2030, the blueprint for all relevant actions.
“Our farmers will benefit from a €1.5bn ringfenced fund for diversification and environmentally friendly practices on their land, while local communities will benefit from a new, enhanced LEADER Rural Development Programme.
“I further welcome the focus on town centre regeneration which will result in vacant and derelict buildings being brought back to life and promoted for residential occupancy.
“Ambitious plans for an integrated rural transport will transform the quality of life, while the detailed amendments to both carbon tax and housing policies are a positive.
“Alluding to a number of the key policy aspects within this Programme for Government, I am very much in favour of its acceptance and implementation,” Cllr. Heavin concluded.
