‘We hope to have two TDs elected in Meath at the next election but we’ll have to work for it’

Paul Murphy
The question of whether the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution should be amended was an issue of conscience for many people but it was also a matter of public policy that needed to be sorted out now, the leader of the Sinn Fein Party Mary Lou McDonald said.
Other parties had been “ducking and diving” on the issue but Sinn Fein had debated it through its Ard Fheis and come out with a clear position. She also denied that the party was on a “sticky wicket” with the position of Meath West TD Peadar Toibin who has stated strong pro-life views.

She was speaking during a tour of the county, her first since her election as leader in January, taking in meetings with Ashbourne Chamber of Commerce, Playmates Montessori in Kentstown, Hill of Tara interests, the Book Market Kells, and Meath County Council officials before addressing a public meeting in the Ashbourne House Hotel. 
In an interview at the Duleek Sinn Fein office she covered issues such as the party’s prospects in the next General Election, public investment in the county, school places, the Kilmoon Cross traffic bottleneck, hospital beds, roads investment, social housing, and mortgage distress.
Dealing with Sinn Fein’s prospects in the next General Election, she said that they were unlucky not to have had Darren O’Rourke elected in Meath East. “We just fell short on the day”, she said, but stressed that, by any standards, O’Rourke was an outstanding public representative who was an energetic, articulate, very honest and honourable person who would make “a wonderful champion” for Meath East and for the county as whole.

They also had Peadar Toibin elected in Meath West, and who has had a very strong public profile down the years. “We hope to have two TDs elected at the next General Election but we’re not complacent about that, we’re going to have to go out and work for it.”
“The challenges are big, you can never take anything for granted. Many parts of Meath are in commuter belts – I hate that term – but this raises particular kinds of dilemmas for communities, and for political and economic development. 
“Up around the Dunboyne end of the county there is a feeling that it is within the greater Dublin area. The belief is that that is to the advantage of that part of the county”. 
There was a desire too in Ashbourne to similarly move within the description or move within the greater Dublin area. But proper development and infrastructure was needed, she said.
On the question of abortion and the position of SF TD Peadar Toibin who has been in conflict with his party on the Eighth Amendment referendum, she said: “Peadar has very deeply held views, I respect that, I understand that, I get that completely. For a lot of people it is an issue of conscience and I respect that, too. 
“But what I also know is that it is a matter of public policy and more importantly it is the view of the Sinn Fein ard fheis. Some people think ‘Mary Lou won’t let people vote’, or whatever. It’s not my call, it is the call of the ard fheis that they wanted a decided position on this issue, a public policy issue and that is with all due respect to people’s views”.
She said that was where Sinn Fein was different to other political parties - “they’re sort of ducking and diving on this issue - the repeal of the Eighth. We’re not doing that.
“Bearing in mind, whatever people’s views, this thing was introduced in 1983. I’ve been listening to eminent doctors, gynaecologists, obstetricians who say back in 1983 they supported the amendment but who now say – because they are in the business of medicine and delivering babies and minding mammies - that they want this thing out of the Constitution because it is a barrier to them doing their job. I have also listened to the master of Holles St Hospital Dr Rhona Mahony. She has helped women deliver thousands of babies. She doesn’t come to this thing lightly.

“The only way we can deal with that is to remove the Eighth Amendment. I know it is a difficult one for lots of people but because it is difficult doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to be done. During the campaign we will treat people, everyone that we meet, and debate with respect and graciousness. 
“I really hope that the public debate can be informed, that we can be respectful, be kind to each other. There is no need for people to be at war with each other but we need to call it now and we need to sort it now.”
On the issue of housing she said “If you said to me that I would be sitting here this morning in the year 2018 and that there would be 4,000 children, and rising, in emergency accommodation, I wouldn’t have believed it. 
“There are 10,000 people, families who are homeless - that’s before you get to an entire generation of people who have in real terms no real aspiration of owning their own home. And that again before you get to countless number of people who are getting hammered with extortionate levels of rent to the extent that they are at work but they are just barely getting by. All of those things are nothing short of scandalous.

“You’re not solving this issue by sitting on the sidelines twiddling your fingers and hoping that the market will sort this out, that’s not going to happen. 
“To me it seems that is the position that is being taken by the Taoiseach, by Eoghan Murphy and the Fine Gael party. It is entirely wrong and they should really wake up to the fact that the evidence is there that that approach is not working.
“We need the public authorities to build that housing.”