Speaking today at the ‘New Generation: New Voices’ event in Enniskillen, Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD said that in an era of so-called ‘Post Truth Politics’, Sinn Féin did not accept contempt for the truth while in the Assembly, and would be damned if they would accept it from Enda, Fine Gael or his cohort of Fianna Fáil backers in the Dáil either.
The Donegal TD said: “As we fast approach yet another election campaign here in the north, and perhaps in the south also, the political landscape is anything but certain.
“It’s a period which has been described by many social and political commentators and analysts alike as the era of ‘Post Truth Politics’; a political culture in which the political narrative is framed by strong appeals to emotion as opposed to reality. By the repetition of unfounded assertions to which factual rebuttals are ignored, if not rejected outright as irrelevant.
“We, as Republicans, do not buy into such lies, half-truths or disdain for truth: the very hallmarks associated with the particular way by which many of our political opponents care to do business.
“Sinn Féin does not and will not follow their example. And just as the events of recent weeks have shown, and as Arlene Foster and the DUP have witnessed first-hand, we did not accept contempt for the truth while in the Assembly, and we’ll be damned if we accept it from Enda, Fine Gael or his cohort of Fianna Fáil backers in the Dáil either.
“Here in the north, where the controversy over the DUP’s bungled handling of the RHI scheme, coupled with their persistent refusal to embrace equality of any kind, these are the events which have left citizens in the six counties disillusioned, weary and sceptical of the institutions’ ability to deliver real and effective change.
“Likewise in the south, where the shambolic handling by Government of the orchestrated smear campaign against Garda Whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe which, over recent days, has brought the current administration to the brink of collapse, there too citizens are questioning the role which government – or more broadly speaking – which politics in general can play in improving society and the lives of ordinary people.
“And these are the very same forces who, motivated by hatred and driven by ignorance, have recklessly stood and advocated for this part of our island to be dragged, against the will of its people, out of the European Union; happy to deny you and the generations to follow the very same opportunities enjoyed by those of us who’ve long benefitted from access to a continental community of some 500 million people.
“Our young people deserve better. They deserve to live in a society, not where their life prospects and future successes are reliant on whether or not they have the means or financial wherewithal to afford it, but one in which everyone, no matter whom they are or where they’ve come from, enjoys the equal opportunity to go out into the world and make their dreams a reality.
“It’s about moving forward as a society, where zero tolerance for racism, sectarianism, homophobia, and for inequalities of any kind is the sole and accepted benchmark.
“It’s about choosing a path which ensures that the institutions – even with their imperfections – deliver for each and every citizen on the basis of equality, parity of esteem and mutual respect.”
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