Galway East TD Albert Dolan is among a group of three Fianna Fail TDs who are calling out the Government for only responding to communities after the fuel crisis escalated to the point of protest and ‘deep frustration’.
The three young backbenchers - Albert Dolan, James O'Connor and Ryan O’Meara - say they’re no longer going to accept the expectation from senior colleagues, to explain the 'government difficulties’ to their constituents.
In a joint statement, the trio says trust needs to be restored in Fianna Fail, and the party’s policies.
They're calling for clearer connections between effort and reward, between contribution and opportunity, and for home ownership to be an achievable reality, not a distant hope
Deputy Dolan's participation in such a public rebuttal of his own party and its leadership will serve as a strong blow to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, given that Deputy Dolan proposed him as Taoiseach
Here the full statement posted on Albert Dolans twitter :
Joint Statement by James O'Connor TD, Albert Dolan, TD and Ryan O'Meara TD
As the youngest Fianna Fáil TDs, we view the events of the past few weeks with a real and deep concern. We
got involved in politics because we believe deeply in the capacity of democratic representation to deliver real
change, to improve lives.
We are unusual among our generation for seeing politics as a way forward, not a closed system. And pivotal to
this is a strong bond between citizens and their government. We view elected office as an honour, but above all
as a responsibility. A responsibility to ensure that the decisions taken in the Dáil and Seanad truly reflect the
needs, ambitions, and values of the people who elected us.
Across Europe, we see inspiring examples of democratic renewal. Last Sunday millions of young Hungarians
turned out to vote for change, recognising that the simple act of marking a ballot paper can help set a country's
direction. It is a reminder that democracy only thrives when people see that their participation matters and that
government responds when it hears their voice. It should not require protests and deep community frustration to
get a government to listen and to act. We are deeply worried that the lesson that many of our age will take from
recent events is that our politics are not working.
We joined Fianna Fáil because we want to make Ireland better. We took inspiration from the fact that many of
the founders of Fianna Fáil were around our age when they created the party 100 years ago, Sean Lemass was
not yet 27, Frank Aiken was 28. We did not join Fianna Fáil because we thought everything was perfect. We
joined because we saw the need for radical change, but change delivered through practical and principled
actions.
We believe in a strong social contract: where a good education, hard work, and civic responsibility are
recognised and rewarded; where aspiration is encouraged; and where government acts as a fair enabler of
achievement and progress, not a gate keeper on supports. We want clearer connections between effort and
reward, between contribution and opportunity. We want homeownership to be an achievable reality, not a distant
hope.
We must face that reality that the social contract is strained to breaking point. Too many of our peers see no
connection between what happens at the ballot box and what follows in government. This disconnect threatens
public faith in politics and our democracy. Our responsibility, as members of Fianna Fáil and as legislators, is to
help rebuild that connection.
This is not about challenging any individual or singling out any member of government. It is about challenging
ourselves and our party colleagues to do better: to listen more closely, to speak more honestly, and to act more
decisively in pursuit of the common good. This is not a communications issue. This is not about being better on
Tik Tok. It is about rediscovering the first principles of Fianna Fáil: putting people first.
We achieve that by bringing community concerns to government and offering/ finding solutions. Too often
today we find senior colleagues expect us to just explain their government difficulties to our communities. That
is not the role we want, nor will we accept it any longer. The policies we back in the Dáil must produce
results felt in homes, schools, and workplaces across the country. We are committed to working with our
Oireachtas colleagues, young and old alike, to restore the trust and connection that once defined Fianna Fáil's
relationship with the Irish people. We know our most experienced colleagues share our views.
It is a task that has been long neglected, and recent events have not helped to repair the damage. The
responsibility now lies with us.We will dedicate our efforts in the weeks and months ahead to ensuring that this
vital reconnection takes place and that politics once again serves the people.
James O'Connor TD
Albert Dolan TD
Ryan O'Meara TD
