Latest news with #Aontú
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Aontú deputy leader accuses Sinn Féin of ‘smoke and mirrors' tactics over voting rights bill
Gemma Brolly calls on party to explain why it hasn't backed presidential election proposals Aontú is calling on Sinn Féin to explain why it hasn't signed a bill in the Dáil to give Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland the right to vote in the Republic's presidential election. The party's deputy leader, Gemma Brolly, said she was 'hugely frustrated' at Sinn Féin's failure so far to respond to correspondence from Aontú leader Peadar Toibín on the issue. Sinn Féin has been contacted for comment.
The Journal
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Tóibín: Aontú would keep rent pressure zones and scrap VAT on housing materials if in government
AONTÚ LEADER PEADAR Tóibín today outlined three policies that his party would adopt in an effort to resolve the housing crisis, coming off the back of the party's Ard Fheis yesterday. The Ard Fheis was held in Gormanstown, Co Meath yesterday, and was shown live on RTÉ in a signifier of the party's growth since its establishment in 2019. The party now has two TDs in Tóibín and Paul Lawless, one senator in Sarah O'Reilly, and six councillors. Among the topics discussed at the event were immigration, housing, and government spending. Today, Tóibín reiterated several of his views. He called for the housing crisis to be declared an emergency, an approach similar to other opposition parties. This would allow the government to push through policies for the public good that would not typically be permitted, such as bypassing some planning laws and objections. The housing target for this year is 41,000 homes, as set out in the programme for government. It became clear earlier this year that it was incredibly unlikely that the government would manage to meet its self-imposed housing target . Last year, the government missed out on the 40,000 homes then Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said it was aiming for, and Housing for All plan's target of 33,450. The government has also signalled imminent change to rent pressure zones (RPZs). The rent caps are due to expire at the end of this year. Advertisement Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín speaking at the party's Ard Fheis at the City North hotel in Gormanstown. Alan Rowlette / © Alan Rowlette / © / © If Aontú were to enter government, it would keep rent pressure zones as well as scrapping VAT on housing materials, including construction of homes, Tóibín said. 'We would actually lower the VAT in terms of building homes. At the moment, you have an incredible situation where Micheál Martin is actually talking about getting rid of rent caps to families who are paying two thousand euros [a month]. 'We will keep the rent pressure zones and make it cheaper to build homes by getting rid of VAT. It is absolutely wrong that you have VAT in terms of building those homes,' Tóibín said. In February, the party leader released figures provided by the government that showed that the government had collected close to €3 billion in VAT on housing materials and construction services in 2024 , the highest amount ever collected in a single year. In 2015, the figure was set at €1.2m. 'We'd make it far easier to draw down the refurbishment grants for the 168,000 empty homes. The speed that the government is going in at the moment, in terms of those means it's going to take 115 years before those homes can be brought back into use,' Tóibín said. Operation Shamrock was also discussed. The Aontú initiative would see Irish construction workers in Canada and Australia offered a €10,000 grant to return home and work in the sector for four years. 'We would use current construction exemption regulation to build homes for those in a far speeder time than it takes at the moment.' On other issues, party delegates yesterday voted to adopt party motions including a ban on allowing anyone who has purposefully destroyed their documents to enter the country, and a ban of 'the introduction of Sharia law' or 'community courts of any religion'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Aontú Ireland rejects comparison to Farage's Reform UK
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín focused his keynote speech at the party's ardfheis predominantly on Government waste. He went on the offensive against the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders, telling delegates ' Government incompetence is incinerating your money and slowing key projects to a halt'. Listing scandal after spending scandal, including the Leinster House €336,000 'Gucci' bike shelter and the €2.4 billion delayed national children's hospital, he took repeated swipes at the Coalition. On immigration, he said Government policy 'has been chaotic and has damaged the cohesion of this country'. Six years ago 'Aontú was alone is stating that we as a country must have an open, respectful conversation about immigration'. READ MORE 'If you don't allow people to discuss immigration you push the discussion underground where it will be harvested and manipulated by bad actors for their own purposes. This is exactly what happened.' It was music to cheering party delegates' ears. This focus on waste of public funds, 'incompetent political leadership' and immigration has clear echoes of Reform UK , Nigel Farage 's party which campaigns on a platform of 'common sense'. Aontú's stance, like Reform's, is about 'not being afraid to stand against the prevailing winds', although Mr Tóibín and party delegates reject the comparison. Maria Byrne, from Kilcullen, Co Kildare joined the party because of 'disillusionment with Fianna Fáil' who were not listening 'to the concerns of ordinary people'. Dismissing any likeness between Aontú and Nigel Farage's populist party in the UK, she says she is 'left-leaning on political issues', adding: 'Some people think that Aontú is a right-wing party because it is pro-life. I'm pro-life in that it is a human rights issue.' Theresa Lynch from Cork North-West traditionally voted Fianna Fáil and joined Aontú 'because I'm pro-life'. She believes Fianna Fáil 'are not listening to any of our concerns', whether about immigration, education or the HSE's vaccination programme. Adam O'Neill (18) from Carnew, Co Wicklow, says Reform is economically a right-wing organisation while 'Aontú is left-wing', and 'we aren't as populist or as driven by the trends of the time'. Delegates at the ardfheis on Saturday backed a motion calling for an 'outright ban' on anyone who 'purposely destroyed their travel documents' entering the State. However, party members at the event in Gormanston, Co Meath, rejected a motion stating that no non-Irish citizen should be allowed to 'enter the State if they have a criminal conviction'. During the first debate at the ardfheis, on the topic of international protection, Meath councillor Emer Tóibín, the leader's sister, said there was 'no long-term plan' for the 'unsustainable' immigration system. Delegates also supported a motion stating that only the national flag should be displayed on public buildings as public spaces should not be aligned 'with any particular ideology or political stance'. Aontú more than doubled its vote share (to 3.9 per cent) in the general election, returning two TDs – Mr Tóibín and Mayo-based Paul Lawless. Critics claim that, like Reform, the party engages in the 'culture wars' on issues like gender recognition but Mr Tóibín says 'we're just standing with the people'. 'Aontú is on the rise' because 'we have a backbone, we are confident to stand against the prevailing winds of the political establishment' and 'puncture the political bubble that exists in Leinster House', says the former Sinn Féin TD. On immigration, 'compassion and common sense is where the vast majority of Irish people exist' but the Government is 'in a bubble' and 'not listening to the people', Mr Tóibín adds.
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Something is Brewing in Ireland: A Sound Punt Is Released, As Bitcoin Enters The National Conversation
For years, Bitcoin in Ireland has quietly simmered at the grassroots level—discussed in pubs and meetups, debated in Telegram groups, and occasionally splashed across headlines with predictable suspicion. But recently, the temperature is beginning to rise. With the release of 'A Sound Punt: The Case for Ireland's Interest in Bitcoin' by Bitcoin Network Ireland (BNI), and a weekend that sees both the Bitcoin Ireland Conference and Aontú's Ard Fheis, it's clear momentum is building on the Emerald Isle. The new paper, released today by Bitcoin Network Ireland, is a concise, accessible document crafted to cut through the noise and present the merits of Bitcoin to the general public and politicians alike. Its aim is straightforward: provide a rational, jargon-free entry point into why Bitcoin matters, especially in an era of euro debasement and rising living costs. The name itself is a clever pun—while it is a nod to both 'sound money' and Ireland's former currency, the punt, it also playfully suggests that although the majority of people view it as associated with risk, this may be worth reevaluating. It's a signal that this is about more than technology: it's about claiming monetary sovereignty and re-examining what makes money 'good' in the first place. What BNI is attempting to accomplish is bridging an important gap in understanding, helping citizens seeking change and government officials looking for solutions to recognize that sound, stateless money has value for everyone. As Parker Lewis famously noted, 'Like all successful monies, Bitcoin is money for enemies'—a neutral system that serves all participants regardless of their political stance. To appreciate the significance of this moment, it's worth noting that Ireland's relationship with money has always been distinct from its European neighbors. While the Romans introduced coinage to Britain over a thousand years before it was adopted in Ireland. The native Irish resisted state-issued money, relying instead on barter and bullion well into the second millennium. In ancient Ireland, the absence of coinage was a testament to a society that was stateless, highly decentralised, and it embraced a polycentric legal system varying between clans. The ideal of that society was that no man in society has rule over others, and even kings could be disposed of if they abused their power. So it's perhaps no coincidence that Ireland was the last European society to adopt coinage, as coinage gives power to rulers. Eventually, it was forced upon the land by the English crown in 1601, this period coincided with the final stages of the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) and the increasing English control over Ireland. To this day, Ireland has never had its own free-floating currency; it has always been tethered to external powers: first the pound sterling, then the European Monetary System, and now the euro under the ECB. So it should come as no coincidence that in recent years, the EU is growing unabated in power and influence over Ireland. ' Give me control over a nation's currency, and I care not who makes its laws. ' — Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743–1812) Perhaps, given this historical context, Ireland is uniquely positioned to understand the value of sound, stateless money. Bitcoin represents a return to the monetary independence that preceded state-issued currencies, but with the technological advantages of the digital age. Where ancient Irish kingdoms used market goods that couldn't be manipulated by distant authorities, Bitcoin offers a modern equivalent: a system that can't be debased or controlled by any power, whether domestic or foreign. This historical skepticism toward centrally-controlled currency is resurfacing in the present, as the Irish state and its citizens face a new wave of economic uncertainty via euro debasement and tariffs. Geopolitical and economic tensions have rarely felt less stable. Tariff disputes, renewed questions over Ireland's foreign direct-investment model, and potential tech and pharma layoffs are sure to sharpen the focus on sovereignty and resilience. The release of 'A Sound Punt' is timely, inviting the nation to once again question the wisdom of tying its fortunes to distant monetary authorities. Coinciding with the release of 'A Sound Punt,' Dr. Niall Burke—a respected academic and BNI member—will be putting forward two motions at the Aontú Ard Fheis (party conference). Aontú, the party that saw the largest surge in votes in the last general election, has shown itself to be receptive to Bitcoin and is opening its doors to conversations that, until recently, were relegated to the margins. That Bitcoin motions are being presented and accepted at a major party conference is a marker of how the conversation is turning. Read More French Regulator Revises Crypto Rules to Align With EU's MiCA Law Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Ireland Conference is gathering the country's growing community of plebs, builders, and advocates. These circles, once on the periphery, are now finding doors opening in political circles. It's not just Bitcoiners who are seeking alternatives. Ireland is witnessing its largest public demonstrations since the post-GFC days of 2012. Recent marches have drawn in excess of 100,000 people to the streets of Dublin. These protests reflect deep frustration and a sense that the political establishment is no longer in alignment with its people. What's particularly striking is how Bitcoin could serve as common ground for seemingly opposing interests. For protesters, Bitcoin offers protection from inflation and defends against government overreach. For a government concerned about economic stability and growth, Bitcoin may be the very solution it needs, especially to protect pension funds and indeed the state's very own investment fund—ISIF, from inflation over the coming decades. This is the paradox and promise of sound, stateless money. It serves everyone's interests because it enforces property rights, and can't be captured or controlled by any single faction. Last, but not least, MMA star Conor McGregor's foray into both politics and Bitcoin is something few would have predicted a year ago, but for those with an ear to the ground, this has been a developing story for some time. His proposal for a national Bitcoin reserve is emblematic of a broader national shift: Bitcoin is finally entering the Zeitgeist and perhaps he, like BNI, has a part to play in keeping it there. Bitcoin is an open-source monetary protocol, and adoption comes from all quarters, irrespective of politics. Bitcoin is neutral, it supports no partisan cause. What's perhaps not recognized enough is how empowering Bitcoin can be and we should focus on its ability to unite rather than divide, giving every Irish citizen—regardless of their political views—tools for individual liberty, inflation protection, as well as practical solutions for businesses. The paper itself makes a compelling case for Ireland's interest in Bitcoin: Sound Money Principles : It evaluates Bitcoin against the six characteristics of 'good money'—durability, divisibility, uniformity, portability, verifiability, and scarcity. : It evaluates Bitcoin against the six characteristics of 'good money'—durability, divisibility, uniformity, portability, verifiability, and scarcity. Store of Value : The document highlights Bitcoin's fixed supply as protection against rising inflation and currency debasement. : The document highlights Bitcoin's fixed supply as protection against rising inflation and currency debasement. Practical Examples : It provides evidence of Bitcoin's monetization, comparing the costs of buying a home in Euros vs. Bitcoin over the span of a decade. : It provides evidence of Bitcoin's monetization, comparing the costs of buying a home in Euros vs. Bitcoin over the span of a decade. Common Concern Rebuttals : The paper addresses the most common objections to Bitcoin—energy usage, volatility, criminal activity, undermining traditional currencies, and speculation—offering balanced counterarguments to each. : The paper addresses the most common objections to Bitcoin—energy usage, volatility, criminal activity, undermining traditional currencies, and speculation—offering balanced counterarguments to each. Action Steps: Rather than just theoretical arguments, the paper outlines specific actions for individuals, businesses, and the government to consider, from education to strategic Bitcoin reserves. No one expects the Irish government to announce a Bitcoin treasury next week, and it's debatable whether it should establish one at all. But 'A Sound Punt' marks the beginning of a process that could, in time, help reshape Ireland's approach to money and economic sovereignty. This accessible primer is just the first step in Bitcoin Network Ireland's broader educational mission. BNI plans to publish a much more comprehensive policy paper for policymakers in the coming months, which is currently going through the editing phase. While 'A Sound Punt' introduces the concepts to the general public, the forthcoming document will provide the detailed analysis and policy recommendations that decision-makers need. As BNI works to elevate this conversation through both public education and policy analysis, the goal remains clear: helping all citizens recognize Bitcoin's universal value proposition. Holding a modest strategic allocation of bitcoin—at either the individual or institutional level—offers some protection against uncertainty and hope in a time of growing concerns.
Irish Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Aontú's Peadar Tóibín's speech at ardfheis to be televised on RTÉ for first time
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín's keynote speech at his party's ardfheis will be televised on RTÉ for the first time, a reflection of an increased election vote. Voter share rose from 1.9 per cent in the 2020 general election to 3.9 per cent in 2024, an increase sufficient to secure the party live TV coverage. Aontú, which translates as 'Unity', says it has 1,800 members, about 400 of whom are expected to attend the fifth annual ardfheis at the City North Hotel in Gormanston, Co Meath. Membership surged in the wake of the failed family and care referendums last year, when Aontú was the only political party to successfully advocate for a No vote in both. READ MORE Mr Tóibín said 'we have built a grass roots, membership-based, cumann infrastructure around the country at a time when the establishment parties are losing theirs'. Speaking before the one-day event, he said 'the referendums were a watershed in the ability of the Irish people to tolerate meaningless virtue signalling. We are the only party listening to the people. [ Aontú 'actively considering' running candidate in presidential election Opens in new window ] 'We were the only party to stand up for the people on the referendums, the hate speech laws, carbon taxes, the right to life, the Government's chaotic immigration policy and gender ideology. We did so on the basis of commonsense and compassion.' The leader's speech will be broadcast live after the Six One News on RTÉ 1 and the party's debate on 'Aontú Accountability versus Glacial Government Delivery' from 12 to 1pm will be covered on the RTÉ news channel. This debate will focus on the 'glacial' pace of delivery on infrastructure projects including the national children's hospital. International protection, health, housing, crime and 'commonsense political reform' are also among the debate topics at the daylong event. The theme of the ardfheis is to tackle 'Government Incompetence, Waste and Lack of Accountability'. Mr Tóibín said, 'key public services and key infrastructure across the country is grinding to a halt and bloating in cost every day. 'The national children's hospital is a monument to government incompetence. But there are dozens of other wasteful projects ballooning out of all proportion. This has a serious cost to citizens.' Five years after the former Sinn Féin member and Meath West TD founded Aontú it now has two TDs – Mr Tóibín and Mayo TD Paul Lawless; Cavan Senator Sarah O'Reilly; and eight local councillors who include Mr Tóibín's sister, Navan-based Cllr Emer Tóibín; and Mr Lawless' sister Cllr Deirdre Lawless who was co-opted to replace him on Mayo County Council. Councillors also include Trim, Co Meath-based Cllr Dave Boyhan; Castleknock, Dublin Cllr Ellen Troy; Cllr Adrian Rogers from Cootehill, Co Cavan; Ongar, Co Dublin-based Cllr Gerard Sheehan; Wexford Cllr Jim Codd; and Limerick Cllr Sarah Beasley.
