Green Party Senator says there's a level of frustration from disabled people

Michael Bolton

Green Party Senator Pauline O'Reilly says she feels the level of frustration from disabled people and carers towards the Government.

Ms O'Reilly was speaking following an exchange between Simon Harris and Charlotte Fallon, a worker with St Joseph’s Foundation on Friday that went viral.

During a canvass, Ms Fallon said carers "were ignored” and the Government has “done nothing for us”. The exchange continued before the Taoiseach shook his head and walked away.

Speaking to Breakingnews.ie, Ms O'Reilly condemned the Taoiseach for his action, and says she feels the level of frustration from disabled people.

"It beggars belief that you would speak to anybody like that. We are all experienced politicians, and you wouldn't speak to anybody like that.

"I have no explanation for it, I can't fathom it at all.

"I do think there is a level of frustration amongst not just carers but disabled people in Ireland.

"We in the Green Party intend to put in a basic income for carers, like we did for artists."

The General Election campaign has seen Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil criticise their coalition partner, despite spending almost five years in Government together.

Ms O'Reilly said the intentions of the two larger parties were clear from the moment Michael O'Leary appeared at an event for Fine Gael TD Peter Burke.

"With Michael O'Leary, we are not exactly his favourite party. Nobody knew he would sink to the depths he did at having a go at public service workers.

"The way we look at it is, we are the only ones who are trying to actually support people in the transition to a greener future with money and financial support.

"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and indeed any of the other parties haven't shown a willingness to do that."

Despite the ongoing messages on climate change, the latest poll shows the Green Party on three per cent.

The party said the coalition almost fell during negotiations with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael over the establishment of a multibillion euro climate and nature investment fund in 2023.

The Galway West candidate says the Greens are needed in the next government to deal with climate issues.

"We knew it would be challenging, that is why it took a long time to negotiate the Programme for Government.

"Almost everything we had put in the Programme for Government was over the line in the end.

"We stood our ground. You only have to look at the example of the land hoarding tax: the Greens stood firm on it, and we did get our own way.

"What you have with the Greens is people who will stick with it, even when it is challenging to get something over the line, and stand firm.

"Of course it was challenging, it was challenging the whole time in Government, but we were constructive at all times."