David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Members had hoped that after three failed attempts to elect Deputy Enda Kenny as Taoiseach and after 70 days and long hours of talks and negotiations between all the parties that will be part of the Government, the farce would come to an end. However, it has not come to an end. The Minister of State, Deputy Harris, spoke earlier about a partnership Government but where is the partnership? One arm of the Government, namely, Fianna Fáil, claims not to be in government at all. It claims to be in opposition but also supports this partnership Government. The Independent Alliance has just arrived into the Chamber, having kept Members waiting, and the farce has continued right up to the 11th hour. I wonder what people outside the Chamber think about all this. I often hear people state this place is a bubble and that those who occupy the seats, especially on the Government side, live in a bubble and do not understand what it is like for people outside the Chamber and it is hard to argue against that. I wonder what the people lying on hospital trolleys across the State as I speak think of this ongoing farce. I wonder what parents of children with disabilities who cannot get the resources and supports they require for their children think of this farce. The Taoiseach claims to have met a number of homeless people and I wonder what they would think of this farce. What of all those families who are living in front rooms or are in emergency accommodation? I wonder what they think of this farce.

I have read the document that has been published and agreed on by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independents who have changed their stripes and have changed from being opposed to the policies of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to now propping up the Government. One thing is certain which is that it is a recipe for more of the same and for keeping things as they are. It will keep in place the two-tier unfair health service, the housing crisis will continue, there is nothing for workers' rights and people still will live in poverty. What does the Taoiseach say to those people who want real change? Deputy Micheál Martin stated earlier that Sinn Féin had a chance to support him as Taoiseach. That is not a choice because Fianna Fáil is not up for change. When one sees that party's fingerprints all over these documents, it is quite clear it has signed up to a conservative Government with Fine Gael and is not interested in change. We in Sinn Féin want to build a real alternative. We will lead the Opposition and Fianna Fáil members can get it out of their heads that they now are an Opposition party. The lead party of opposition will be Sinn Féin.

See this speech in context