Government accused of spreading referendum misinformation by Mattie McGrath

Tipperary TD, Deputy, Mattie McGrath, leader of the Rural Independent Group of TDs, has issued a stern call to both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to urgently clarify their stance on false information circulated by Minister Catherine Martin regarding the upcoming March 8th referendums.

Deputy McGrath emphasised the critical nature of this issue, which directly affects the integrity of the electoral process, demanding a clear public statement from the government regarding their alignment with either the Minister or the independent Electoral Commission chair.

Deputy McGrath, who initially raised concerns during the Leaders' Questions in the Dáil earlier today, reiterated the need for transparency, stating:

"The deliberate dissemination of misinformation by a cabinet minister, if left unaddressed, could have grave repercussions not only for the forthcoming referendums but also for future electoral contests.

"Both the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, must promptly clarify their position. The integrity of our democratic processes, upon which our society is built, demands protection. Their silence in the face of verified facts contradicts their previous stance against misinformation, undermining their credibility," he said.

"Despite establishing the Electoral Commission with the specific mandate of safeguarding our electoral landscape from misinformation, the recent events, where the Commission Chair, Judge Marie Baker, directly refuted claims made by cabinet minister Catherine Martin regarding the Constitution's stance on women, have been met with deafening silence from the government. It appears that their commitment to combat misinformation is selective, serving their political agenda.

"The dissemination of misinformation by a cabinet minister is a serious matter. Minister Martin's statement regarding the Constitution's view on women's roles in society, proven inaccurate by constitutional scholars and legal experts, warrants retraction or intervention from the Taoiseach.

"Yet, Minister Martin's refusal to acknowledge her error further exacerbates the situation," Deputy McGrath said.

"The audacity of a Minister, who advocates for reform and truthfulness within RTÉ, to insist on her misinterpreted constitutional interpretation, despite being proven wrong, is not only arrogant but also deeply concerning.

"This incident exposes the farcical nature of the government's referendum campaign, revealing their prioritization of spin over facts, and their attempt to deceive the public."

"The government's reckless dissemination of misinformation undermines the integrity of the democratic process. If their intentions were genuine, they would engage in truthful and reasoned debate, rather than resorting to misrepresentation to secure a favourable outcome."

“This call for clarity underscores the necessity of transparency and honesty in political discourse, particularly in matters as significant as constitutional referendums,” Deputy McGrath said.