Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke, has called on Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín to come out of hiding and explain why he is facilitating the stroke politics of the incoming government.

Deputy Guirke made his comments in response to Aontú forming a technical group, intended for members of the opposition, with so-called independents who negotiated and helped author the Programme for Government, and have offered their unflinching support for the incoming government.

Teachta Guirke said:

“Peadar Tóibín usually has a lot to say.

“Yet he has gone into hiding on why he is facilitating the stroke politics of the incoming government.

“The disgraceful proposition of the group of so-called independents, who authored and negotiated this Programme for Government, then sitting on the opposition benches is a charade that could not happen were it not for the support of Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín.

“It is the job of the opposition to hold the government to account. Technical groups are formed by members of the opposition.

“Yet Peadar Tóibín is debasing himself by forming a technical group with this group of chancers who are not opposition; they have offered up their unflinching support for the incoming government.

“It is completely unprecedented, completely unacceptable, and Peadar Tóibín should explain why he is facilitating it.”