Aontú leader says Sinn Féin is considering governing with Fine Gael.
Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has seen his party eclipse both People Before Profit and Labor in recent polls, garnering 4% support and is the fastest growing party in the country.
Asked about Aontú’s growth, the former Sinn Féin TD said: ‘It’s extraordinary. We won 55,000 votes during the last elections, more than PBP. We have 1,300 members and six elected reps from Derry to Wexford, with 60 functioning cumann across the 32 counties. We are the fifth-largest party, according to a recent Sunday Independent poll,” reports Independent.
Tóibín left Sinn Féin to found his new party on the abortion issue.
Asked if he wanted to form a coalition with his old party, he said: “It appears that Sinn Féin is considering governing with Fine Gael.
“After 11 years of a record housing and health crisis, this would be a serious mistake. This is not change. Aontú will not put Fine Gael back in government under any circumstances,” he said, reports Independent.
When asked about the recent revelation by a hospital consultant that 95% of parents informed of Down syndrome in a fetus are choosing abortion, Mr Tóibín said: “The abortion of children on the basis of disabilities or gender should be banned,” reports Independent.
Tóibín added: “From the Government shutting down cancer, mental health, stroke and heart disease services during Covid and now refusing to investigate the resulting excess deaths, only Aontú pushed back on this,” reports Independent.
The party will use the upcoming elections to “crowbar real reform of the health service”, he said.
As an Irish party, he said Aontú supports Irish unity “because it makes sense”.
“Allowing the Tories a say over any part of Ireland causes us serious damage. We want the administrations north and south to start planning, funding and delivering services together,” reports Independent.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.