Collins Criticises Taoiseach's "Carrot and Stick" Approach To Political Reform

Fianna Fáil's Director of Elections Deputy Niall Collins has criticised what he has described as the Taoiseach's "Carrot and Stick" approach to political reform.

Speaking while campaigning in the South West, Deputy Collins said: "Taoiseach Enda Kenny launched his reform proposal this week with great fanfare yet he could not hide his arrogance by threatening people that if they did not vote the way the Government wanted them to, the committee system would not be reformed.

"This is highly cynical and typical of the campaign that the Government is running in this referendum. The Taoiseach is either serious about reform or not, and reform of the Dáil should not be conditional. People should inform themselves on all of the facts involved in this referendum, make their own minds up and not feel threatened.

"The Seanad does not need to be abolished for the Dáil committees to be reformed - the proposition that it does is a threat and a lie."

(CD/JP)