13/02/2017

SF To Submit Motion Of No Confidence Against Govt

Sinn Féin is planning to bring forward a motion of no confidence against the Irish Government.

The party will submit the motion to the Dáil on Wednesday, 15 February.

Speaking today, 13 February, Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD said the coalition Government cannot remain in power due to the handling of sex crime allegations against Garda Whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

"The Government has failed demonstrably and abjectly in its response to the vicious smear campaign waged against Garda Whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe," Teachta McDonald said.

"The Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach fumbled their way through the weekend, making up the Government's approach as they went along. Their positions regarding when they were informed of the Tusla file and the false allegations against Sgt McCabe simply do not stack up.

"Over the past three years, Fine Gael has failed to protect the good name of Maurice McCabe and has failed to get to the bottom of his allegations and the smear campaign against him.

"Through their ineptitude and their clear decision to muddy the waters, rather than providing the truth, the government has completely undermined public confidence in its ability to govern effectively.

"It is a government dominated by crisis, chaos, and spin as focuses its energies on retaining power rather than on delivering genuine solutions."

Teachta McDonald continued by urging all parties to support the no confidence motion "in order to remove from power a chaotic government that has already lost its authority".

"Fianna Fáil and Micheál Martin cannot sit on their hands and vote to abstain with any credibility," she said. "They cannot hide behind the supply and confidence agreement in an effort to shirk their responsibilities.

"Fianna Fáil TDs cannot just shrug their shoulders and wait for a better time to pull down the government based on their own narrow electoral interests. This matter goes to the heart of the integrity of this government and the time to bring the chaos to an end is now."

(LM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 March 2024
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
04 July 2014
National Oversight And Audit Commission Established
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan has announced the establishment of the National oversight and Audit Commission, (NoAC), for the local government sector.
16 June 2010
Five Votes Win Cowen Confidence Motion
Brian Cowen's Dublin coalition Government has won the Dáil confidence motion by a margin of five votes. The motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach followed a six-hour debate in the Daíl. The vote followed shortly after resulting in an 82 to 77 split in favour of the coalition.
15 June 2010
Cowen Expects To Win No Confidence Vote
Despite public approval ratings at an all time low at 18%, Brian Cowen has announced he is expects to win today's Daíl vote of no confidence in him. Fianna Fáil countered a Fine Gael motion for a vote of no-confidence in the Taoiseach by proposing their own vote, which will be taken today.
06 July 2016
Chairman Resigns From Expert Commission On Water Charges
Chairman of the Expert Commission on Water Charges Joe O'Toole has announced he is stepping down. Mr O'Toole resigned after facing criticism over commonts he made over the funding of water charges. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government Barry Cowen TD said he believes Mr O'Toole has "done the right thing".