Ignorance or scare-mongering - there is no excuse, says White

Friday, 05 February 2010

Green Party T.D. for Carlow/Kilkenny, Mary White, has said that recent political debate in Carlow/Kilkenny has been dominated by either ignorance or scare-mongering, and has damaged local politics.

Commenting on recent debates and claims made by local representatives, the Green Party Deputy Leader said this morning:
“This week was another bad week for public debate in Carlow/Kilkenny. We had Senator John Paul Phelan on radio making misleading claims about plans for water metering. He said that a flat charge for water would be introduced. This is blatantly untrue. A quick look at the Renewed Programme for Government would have shown how inaccurate the claim was. National politicians have a duty to research topics of public policy before they start making pronouncements. He also joined a cabal of other local politicians that either don’t understand or are happy to scaremonger about upcoming planning legislation.”

“Whether it was ignorance or scare-mongering, neither is excusable. Politics should be about debate and decision-making on the basis of facts, not prejudice and fear. If those in question have nothing to hide, then honest debate shouldn’t be a problem.”

[ENDS]

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