Speech of Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and Cavan- Monaghan TD, Heather Humphreys on Motion re: Confidence in Government

Ceann Comhairle, just over two years ago – Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party formed a Government.

It wasn’t easy. But we did it for one overriding reason; Because we believe that you enter politics to improve peoples’ lives.

Putting people first was our number one interest during the Covid-19 crisis.

The priority for this Government now is to protect families against the unprecedented increase in the Cost of Living.

This evening, once again, Sinn Féin are playing politics.  This Sinn Féin motion is an absolute waste of time and pure nonsense.

But what do you expect from an opposition party who just two years ago ran to the hills at the very thought of going into Government.

When duty and responsibility called, Sinn Féin hid in the bunkers.

And then for a while you thought you were Donald Trump – you were going around the country telling people you should be in power instead of sitting down and actually trying to form a Government.

You are great at telling everyone how to spend money – but you’re not so good at telling us where to find it.

Your policies would bankrupt this country and plunge us into recession.

We create employment – you’d create unemployment.

And to hear Sinn Féin talking about helping the ‘Squeezed Middle’ – well I’ve heard it all.

The truth is, if you were in Government, it wouldn’t be worth anyone’s while doing a day’s work because you’d tax them to the hilt.

Deputy McDonald talked about helping families with Back to School Costs.

This Government will support low income families with a grant of between €260 and €385 to help families to put clothes and shoes on their children.

What are Sinn Féin doing in Northern Ireland? You announced a £7 increase in the School Uniform Allowance bringing it to the grand total of £42.

So in Sinn Féin’s eyes €385 isn’t good enough for a Child in the South but £42 is more than enough for a child in Northern Ireland – And you call yourselves an all island party.

As usual with Sinn Féin – it’s a case of do as we say, not as we do.

You’re the flip flop party.

During Covid, when we closed the pubs, you wanted them open.

When we opened the pubs, you wanted them closed.

When we do universal measures, you want targeted measures.

When we do targeted measures, you want universal measures.

Last week, you wanted an emergency budget.

This week you want a general election.

You don’t know what you want!

The policy for you is very simple.

Whatever way the wind blows – Sinn Féin goes.

Hurlers on the ditch.

Answers for everything but solutions for nothing.

And this motion is the greatest load of codology that I’ve seen in a long time.

And the people will see it for what it is.

Pure political opportunism.

Go raibh maith agaibh.