John Cummins: Sinn Féin Betting on Chaos, Not Solutions
John Cummins addresses the chamber to oppose a Sinn Féin motion to collapse the government, arguing the party seeks chaos rather than constructive solutions amid global uncertainty. He defends the government's ongoing supports for families and businesses, highlights housing progress and planning reforms, and urges continuity until the budget.
What happened in the chamber: John Cummins criticised Sinn Féin's motion as opportunistic and destabilising, saying it prioritises political theatre over stability while families and businesses face a fragile international economy. He argued the government is focused on targeted measures to support workers, families and communities.
Housing and planning progress: Cummins pointed to the delivery of 36,000 homes last year as evidence of real progress and said the government will continue to build on that work. He emphasised efforts to simplify planning, cut red tape and give rural families a reasonable expectation of planning decisions for homes.
Economic supports and mandate: The speech defends interventions made before the Easter break and signals further action at budget time to back workers and businesses. Cummins framed the government mandate as a duty not to be discarded lightly for political manoeuvring.
Consequences and context: Cummins warned that collapsing the government would interrupt ongoing programmes in schools, hospitals and communities. He closed by urging the chamber to prioritise delivery and stability over disruption and opportunism.
What happened in the chamber: John Cummins criticised Sinn Féin's motion as opportunistic and destabilising, saying it prioritises political theatre over stability while families and businesses face a fragile international economy. He argued the government is focused on targeted measures to support workers, families and communities.
Housing and planning progress: Cummins pointed to the delivery of 36,000 homes last year as evidence of real progress and said the government will continue to build on that work. He emphasised efforts to simplify planning, cut red tape and give rural families a reasonable expectation of planning decisions for homes.
Economic supports and mandate: The speech defends interventions made before the Easter break and signals further action at budget time to back workers and businesses. Cummins framed the government mandate as a duty not to be discarded lightly for political manoeuvring.
Consequences and context: Cummins warned that collapsing the government would interrupt ongoing programmes in schools, hospitals and communities. He closed by urging the chamber to prioritise delivery and stability over disruption and opportunism.
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Transcript
Comhairle, let's be clear about what's happening here today. At a time of real global uncertainty, when families are worried about the cost of living, when businesses are planning for an unpredictable future, this motion is not about stability or solutions, it's about opportunism. Sinn Féin are seeking to collapse this government because they think they can benefit from chaos. They offer noise, but not clarity. They offer disruption, but not delivery. And while they try to create instability, this government is getting on with the job at hand. We are helping people through an array of supports and through targeted measures to back workers and families through continued investment in our schools, our hospitals and our communities. We were given a mandate to govern and we are working hard every single day to deliver on that responsibility. That mandate matters and it should not be cast aside lightly just for political manoeuvring. We have never been found wanting in financial difficulties through COVID, through Ukraine and other shocks due to global factors. And that is why we have taken steps to intervene, both prior to the Easter break and now to support our people again. Because we recognise that more needs to be done and we will do more, particularly at budget time, to support our workers, our families and our businesses across this country. Now is not the time for government to stop its work. Now is the time to continue delivering, especially on housing. Last year we delivered 36,000 homes. That is real progress and we're determined to build on that and not abandon it for political theatre. On planning, we're simplifying the system to ensure timely decisions are made, red tape is cut and that people have a reasonable expectation of receiving planning permission for a home, particularly in rural Ireland, where they want to continue to put down roots and support their local communities. This government will... Thank you very much.