'I think the Taoiseach is being disingenuous' about staying the course - Leitrim councillor

A Leitrim councillor spoke out this week about he believes that Taoiseach  Micheál Martin is being 'disingenuous' about his plans to continue into the next election, four years from now. "He's commented about leading Fianna Fáil into the next general election and I think he's being disingenuous there."

It was recently revealed that more than half of voters say Taoiseach Micheál Martin should step down as Fianna Fáil leader in the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll with the poll showing that the Taoiseach's approval ratings have slumped to its lowest since this Coalition began.

Speaking on this Cllr Fallon said: "I think the fact that he has weathered the last week would indicate that he is going to weather this storm. We know that he weathers it until the new year, the likelihood is that he will be there until July because of the presidency in the EU. I think that the most likely scenario is if Micheál Martin isn't gone by mid-December, he is going to be there until the middle of next year."

He said that recent reports indicate that there are "a third who are loyal to him, a third who are opposed to his leadership and a third in the middle who are unsure what to do. Recently and prior to the debacle around the presidential election, you have seen a lot of Fianna Fáil TDs probably leaning towards Jack Chambers but that situation has changed; I'm sure they're looking around to see who's going to step into those shoes.

It was announced recently that the Government are set to charge asylum seekers for accommodation in IPAS Centres with reports suggesting that Asylum Seekers who are working here will have to pay between 15 and 238 Euro a week for their accommodation under news proposals.

The Cabinet sub-committee on migration is expected to discuss the issue.

New figures have revealed that 5 thousand people are living in centres despite being granted legal rights to remain in the country and are therefore no longer considered an international protection applicant.

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Cllr Fallon said he welcomed the move and that in his view, it should have been implemented before now. "If international protection applicants are in employment, it is only fair that they would pay towards their accommodation based on their means as others in state supported accommodation are expected to do.

Cllr Fallon also strongly condemned an attempted arson after four children, including a baby, were rescued following a fire at a building housing people applying for international protection. "That's wrong and nobody wants that happening. It shouldn't happen and hopefully it won't happen again; the the lives of young children at risk; people who can't fend for themselves. That is totally wrong and there is no need for it. Regardless of the level of frustration among the public at times with regard to IPAS centres that is not the course of action to be taking."