Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Today the corporate landlords, the big developers, and the tax-avoiding corporations can breathe a sigh of relief. They are going to have a government that will serve their interests but most people are being left behind, including the thousands queuing for food parcels, those spending Christmas in emergency accommodation, the families waiting for necessary therapies for their children, the nurses and medical scientists who felt compelled to vote for industrial action, and the ordinary workers who are struggling to get by. They are the people I am here to represent. People Before Profit will fight against this government of the rich every single step of the way. What we need is a left government that represents the interests of the many instead of the wealthy few and that implements eco-socialist policies to avert catastrophic climate change while improving people's lives. We will not get that today.

What should the left do now? Rule out coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and put forward left-wing policies. There should be no scapegoating of asylum seekers or trans people. The blame for the housing and health crises should be put on those at the top and not those at the bottom. The left should work together to build mass movements outside the Dáil that can make a real difference on disability justice and housing, and immediately implement the occupied territories Bill as a step to comprehensive sanctions on Israel.

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