Updated 21.55
SINN FÉIN IS set to table a motion of no confidence in the Government in the wake of the latest revelations concerning Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
The announcement was made this evening by deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald.
The timing of Sinn Féin’s move is particularly significant as a Sunday Times poll released in the aftermath of their announcement shows Fianna Fáil a full 11 points ahead of their old rivals Fine Gael – the largest lead Fianna Fáil has held in six years.
Sinn Féin’s motion meanwhile, which is hardly unexpected given the events of recent days, will surely test the ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement between the two parties to its limits.
“People the length and breadth of Ireland are rightly outraged by what has transpired over the course of the last week,” McDonald said this evening.
The government is clearly unable to deal with the major issues facing our people. The hospital waiting list scandal has exposed the government’s complete failure to deal with the crisis in our health service.
The manner in which they have handled the scandalous campaign of character assassination against Sergeant Maurice McCabe renders this government unfit for public office.
McDonald added that the “behaviour of government, particularly over the last week, has eroded public confidence in this coalition in the most fundamental and profound ways” and that Sinn Féin would be seeking cross-party support for the motion, including from Fianna Fáil.
Their chaotic behaviour and blatant disregard for transparent government mean that a general election is now necessary. Sinn Féin will table a motion of no confidence in this kick for touch, cover up government without delay.
Fianna Fáil’s next move will be of interest given the new Sunday Times poll which shows it has increased its lead drastically over Fine Gael since the previous poll taken last month, when the gap was six points.
Although Micheál Martin’s party had committed to supporting the Fine Gael administration for at least three budgets, party members may feel, with the Government reeling over the ongoing Garda scandal, that an opportune time has come to pull the plug.
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