Sinn Féin threat to civil servants is another worrying attempt to silence opponents – Farrell

Sinn Féin’s threat to sack senior civil servants who do not comply with the party’s thinking is another worrying attempt to silence critics and suppress public debate, according to Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell.

Deputy Farrell said: “Today, a media report emerged claiming that Sinn Fein’s Housing spokesperson suggest that an economist in a Government department be fired, with a highly personal attack on that individual.

“This is an extremely worrying development, and if Sinn Féin were in Government, senior civil servants and staff in Government departments would be afraid of speaking out on or giving an opinion that contradicts their policies for fear of losing their jobs.

“Debate and differences of opinion is something that happens in the normal course of Government business and it is up to both politicians and staff to come together and work out a resolution in the interests of the greater good.

“But threats to fire people is simply unacceptable and sends the message that Sinn Féin, if they were in Government, would attempt to suppress debate and discourage people who do not agree with their approach from challenging them.

“I am on calling on the Sinn Fein leadership to clarify whether or not they agree with the comments from Deputy Ó’Broin. It’s ludicrous to think that it’s acceptable to call for a senior civil servant to be fired simply because you do not agree with them.”