It has been confirmed that the Dáil had to halt its proceedings this afternoon after Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald reportedly refused to leave the chamber despite instruction from the Ceann Comhairle.
It is understood that Sinn Fein’s Ms McDonald was using her party’s speaking time to question the Tánaiste, Joan Burton, about the controversial water charges, but she refused to return to her seat when the time she was allocated had expired.
Ms McDonald repeatedly claims that the Tánaiste was avoiding questions she had put to her about wage deductions and taking charges from social welfare.
The stand-off, soon started a frenzy on social media with many calling the fiasco the ‘Sinn Féin sit-in’. It is believed that the Ceann Comhairle had no choice but to call a vote to suspend Ms McDonald from the chamber, which was unambiguously passed.
Although Ms McDonald refused to accept her banishment from the chamber, which led to the suspension of the Dáil. The Ceann Comhairle also refused to re-enter the chamber until Ms McDonald abided by the vote for her suspension. It is understood that the Dail was not suspended for any set duration, and the stand-off has been going on since approximately 12.35 this afternoon.
Meanwhile the Tánaiste Joan Burton had removed her briefing notes at the time of the incident and has since told Sinn Féin she could not answer the question on Revenue involvement in water charges as no decision has been made.