Chambers hits back at Peadar Tóibín comments

SENATOR Lisa Chambers has hit back at comments made by European election rival and Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, accusing the Meath TD of misrepresenting her stance on climate change.

Deputy Tóibín, who is running against Senator Chambers in the Midlands North West constituency, suggested that she was ‘cynically exploiting’ fears of people in rural Ireland by saying that Fianna Fail’s relationship with the Green Party was ‘no longer tenable’.

Senator Chambers said that the Green Party had placed the country in a ‘green straight jacket’ by not progressing the development of offshore wind energy.

Deputy Tóibín called on Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to clarify if his party would remain in government with the Greens - with whom they have been in coalition alongside Fine Gael since 2020.

Senator Chambers accused Deputy Tóibín of ‘aggressive and argumentative tactics’ and agreed to debate him on the relevant issues.

“I am always open to a constructive debate, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss the substantive issues with Deputy Tóibín anytime, anywhere,” said Senator Chambers.

“However, it's disappointing to see a party leader choose to misrepresent my comments which were clearly outlined in the Irish Independent. Such aggressive and argumentative tactics are not what you expect from someone in his position.”

Addressing her position on wind energy, Senator Chambers said: “For a long time, I have been a staunch advocate for harnessing our wind energy resources off the west coast to their full potential. It is crucial that our approach to green energy not only focuses on decarbonisation but also strengthens our economy and enhances Ireland's attractiveness for foreign direct investment. Addressing climate change is a shared ambition by all of us. I am determined it is to the fore of our country’s political agenda.

“It seems there was either a failure to fully engage with the content of the article or a deliberate attempt to distort my position for other purposes," she said, referring to an article in the Irish Independent where her comments originally appeared.

“This type of reaction is unbecoming of a party leader and does not contribute to the informed and respectful discourse that the public deserves.”

Senator Chambers earlier became embroiled in an online war of words with Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly over her comments on Fianna Fáil’s relationship with the Green Party.

Interesting that Lisa's discovered the potential of wind energy just when she is about to run for election! What she hasn't discovered however are the facts. Floating offshore offers huge potential but industry experts say the technology isn’t ready for West. Back to school Lisa! https://t.co/KeAXpkwH79

— Senator Pauline O'Reilly, MEP Candidate (@paulinegalway) April 29, 2024

The former county councillor and Mayo TD will be vying for a seat in an increasingly crowded field in the Ireland Midlands North-West constituency.

As well as Senator Chambers and Deputy Tóibín, three other Mayo women; Michelle Smith (Independent), Saoirse McHugh (Independent) and MEP Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) will be on the ballot paper in June.

Former presidential candidate Peter Casey – who sparred with Achill native Saoirse McHugh in a live television debate in 2019 – has also confirmed that he will be running again in the Midlands North-West as an Independent. 

Ms McHugh came fifth in the poll in the 2019 European election and later ran unsuccessfully for the Dáil and Seanad. 

She subsequently left the Green Party after they entered coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.