War of words between Mayo columnist and TD goes on
by Dr. Richard Martin
The only bad publicity is an obituary, so it was a pleasant surprise when I opened The Connaught Telegraph and came across a full page opinion piece authored by none other than Deputy Paul Lawless, who hails from Knock.
It’s hard to know what he was trying to achieve by writing this opinion piece. All he’s doing is highlighting what his party leader Peadar Toibin said in a Dáil debate which was the following “the primary tool FF and FG have used to attract FDI has been the provision of bargain-basement corporation taxes over the years."
That is what he said verbatim. I checked the Oireachtas record myself. This debate took place on the 9/4/25. The debate was ‘Protecting the Irish Economy against increasing Trade Tariffs’.
Mayo Minister of State Alan Dillon was in the chamber that afternoon and rightfully challenged Peadar Toibin and Paul Lawless.
In the midst of Alan Dillon’s speech he said the following:
“I remind Deputy Toibin, from County Meath, and Deputy Lawless, from County Mayo, that these are counties that are home to many of these multinational companies. There are 16 companies in County Mayo supporting more than 5,500. . .”
And precisely at this point he was interrupted and continually interrupted in the Dáil Chamber by Paul Lawless and Peadar Toibin. He must have hit a nerve. Again, this is all on the Dáil record.
Huge American business is here for the corporation tax rates. But, that’s not the only reason. Our education system churns out all the highly skilled graduates that are needed to run these major concerns.
We have a stable democratic political system and we live on an island with no conflict. Big business above all craves stability. We are an English speaking country and we are a member of the European Union and the Eurozone.
All of these factors play a huge role in attracting companies like Coca-Cola and Abbvie to Mayo.
It’s clear that Aontú have no meaningful grasp on the above and domestic/international economics. And when they are challenged on it they can’t handle the truth.
In the opinion piece, Paul Lawless used three subheadings.
1. On FDI.
2. On Aontú and SF.
3. On the ‘Foreign Junkets’.
I did notice one thing. There was one issue he wasn’t prepared to discuss. Immigration.
Paul Lawless has made his name on immigration. This time last year he was a community activist in Knock. In June 2024 he was elected to Mayo County Council and a few short months later in November he was elected to the Dáil.
In the lead up to the local elections last June, Paul Lawless created a video of himself outside the derelict Belmont Hotel in Knock. He expressed his concerns about it becoming an IPAS centre and even organised an open public meeting. Why? Wouldn’t be better to turn a derelict building into something productive.
What is wrong with it becoming an IPAS centre? Has Paul Lawless ever sat down with an asylum seeker and heard their story? Any asylum seeker? I have.
I have heard what some of these people have come from. Genocide. War. And so forth. And all these people want is a chance at life. Every single asylum seeker I have met in Castlebar wants to contribute to our society in a productive and positive manner.
I really think it’s time that a lot of ‘native’ Irish people started to look at their own CV and ask themselves what are they bringing to the table?
Deputy Lawless stated in The Connaught Telegraph recently: “When it comes to IPAS developments, the government is treating people like mushrooms — keeping them in the dark and feeding them dung. That is what is happening right across this country.”
This, I believe, is spreading fear and mistrust. It’s weak politics. Is it fair that private individuals are making millions on IPAS contracts? No.
The Land League started in this county in an attempt to take on greedy landlords. The IPAS landlords are exploiting the system to maximum effect. But that’s not the fault of the asylum seeker. The anger is being misplaced and misdirected at the wrong group.
However, along with the greedy landlords, there are others who are exploiting asylum seekers fleeing war. Politicians. There has been a rise in the far-right in Ireland over the past five years.
Anti-immigration candidates who were previously fringe players have been catapulted into the mainstream and are being elected to councils and the Dáil.
Paul Lawless has benefited hugely from the IPAS debate. It made him a TD. He chose to take the anti-immigration approach and it has paid off handsomely for him.
But if this anti-immigration rhetoric doesn’t stop and politicians don’t show real leadership, eventually, it will not end well. The rhetoric has to stop.
Finally, it can be argued that Paul Lawless didn’t win that Dáil seat, Fianna Fáil lost it.
Somewhere along the way Lisa Chambers lost the electorate. Castlebar is the county town. It’s a two seat town. Ballina have a senior Minister, a TD and a Senator. Good for them.
Next time around Castlebar will win the seat back.
If Keith Higgins is on the ticket in east Mayo, and Caoilinn Gaughan is on the ticket in Castlebar, Paul Lawless will not be returned to the Dáil. Mark Duffy and Calleary will squeeze him from the north. The House of Flynn will reign again.