Responding to the announcement that a Programme for Government has been agreed, Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has said the new government can delay change, but they cannot stop it.
The Sinn Féin TD said that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael excluded her party from the government formation process in an attempt to deny change and to protect the status-quo.
The Programme for Government was widely leaked on Sunday evening before being released on Monday, and has a strong Green influence – including €360m per year for cycling and walking infrastructure.
But Deputy Farrell said the reality is that a government led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – no matter who they are propped up by – does not represent the change that people voted for and will not deliver for workers and families.
“Their record in government together over the past four years shows us exactly what they will do if this Programme for Government is endorsed by the parties involved.
“What we need is a break from the past, not a repeat of it.”
The Galway West TD said that this means “rebuilding the economy in a fair and sustainable way, delivering affordable housing, delivering universal healthcare, making sure workers can retire at the age of sixty-five, investing in our forgotten regions and delivering the type of real change required to tackle the climate emergency.”
This, she said, will not be delivered by a Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael led government.
“To those who voted for change, I say this – do not give up. The future is still there to be won. Sinn Féin will never give up because we believe that we are within touching distance of a better Ireland. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can delay change, but they cannot stop it,” she added.
