Political Platform: Thomas Pringle TD
An independent from a republican background, Thomas Pringle has been a Donegal TD since 2011. He tells eolas Magazine about his passion for representing Donegal, his role in pursuing climate change legislation, and how independent TDs can maximise their influence in Irish politics.
What inspired you to get into politics?
My parents were always politically involved, and I would have inherited the interest from them. I was involved in union work in my job and always had an interest in politics, although I would never have seen myself as a politician.
In the local elections in 1999, the town of Killybegs was without a councillor and it was said that if someone ran as an independent, they would get elected and so I said: “Right, I’ll do it.” Low and behold, I got elected.
What has been your proudest achievement in politics?
Getting elected to Donegal County Council in 1999 and then the Dáil in 2011 were proud achievements. I think the passage of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018 [introduced by Deputy Pringle] would have been my proudest achievement and showed that you did not have to be in government to get things done. It was a joint venture between politicians and NGOs that led to the passing of the legislation, and I was proud to be at the political end of it.
Who do you admire in politics or public life?
I think that the person I admired most in political life was Nelson Mandela. He struggled for so many years to achieve freedom for his people and yet realised where they had been mistaken as well, which is important for anyone coming on to realise that freedom is not only political, but economic. Economics can be used to control populations and hold back a nation in the interests of the few.
I also admire the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Catherine Connolly TD, she always is committed to doing the right thing by the people.
“Economics can be used to control populations and hold back a nation in the interests of the few.”
Thomas Pringle TD
What do you believe independent TDs can achieve in the Dáil?
I think independent TDs can achieve a lot in the Dáil and in political life in Ireland. As I mentioned earlier with the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, I do not think that would have been achieved by a party TD as opposition to it would have broken down over party lines.
As an independent you are answerable to the people directly and do not have the buffer of party to protect you from the people. I think that is very important; too often we see politicians say: “Oh, it was party policy and there was nothing I could do…”
I believe that is wrong and whether it is popular or not, you should be accountable for your decisions.
One of my big bug bears is when people vote for party candidates at a local level but do not hold them accountable for the party decisions that would be harmful to citizens or the area where they live. Political parties are made up of the individuals that are elected for them.
What are your key priorities for Donegal?
I think a key priority for Donegal is to make sure that Donegal is at the heart of government thinking and decision-making.
We have been impacted most by the border in Ireland and we would be one of the most impacted border/midland/western region counties that have suffered from lack of investment as identified by the EU as an underdeveloped region.
There is something wrong with government when it is not a priority for them to deliver the lifting of an entire region out of underdevelopment, plus it affects all other parts of the country by this neglect as it puts them under even more development pressure with the movement of people into those areas.
To achieve balanced region development for Donegal and within Donegal as well is vitally important.
What are your interests outside of work?
Watching and supporting the GAA, reading, and going to the cinema. I like being at home in Donegal and enjoying the scenery around me when I am at home.
