In an interview in the Sunday Independent, Fine Gael TD Noel Rock said that one high-profile party Fine Gael colleague remonstrated with him about his publicity around not taking the recent pay rise for TDs. Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis said today that Noel Rock should name that politician.
The Dublin North West TD, who shares a constituency with Deputy Rock, said:
“Deputy Rock should name that politician that took issue with refusing the pay rise as it is important that the public know the personal stance TDs are taking on this issue, especially as Sinn Féin have published a motion that will call on the government to stop pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement and will be debated in the coming weeks.
“In regards to rest of the article and Deputy Rock’s comments about Ballymun, Sinn Féin have being on the ground in Ballymun for years and, as any local knows, that the area has a strong community ethos in the old towers and in the surrounding estates. There was always great sports and cultural groups and clubs in Ballymun and they how have great facilities.
“Of course, there were social issues concerning drugs and other anti-social behaviour but maybe Noel should look to his own party for the causes to this as they abandoned that very community, and so many others like it, years ago by not investing in proper social, economic, and transport infrastructure. It is irresponsible that he should attempt to define a community by a few bad apples.”