The Government’s motion of confidence in Simon Harris was approved, with 94 TDs voting in favour and 65 against, reports RTE.
Ahead of the vote, Aontú leader Peadar TóibÃn defended his decision to propose the original no-confidence motion against Mr Harris, reports RTE.
“If the death of a child, if the continuous painful suffering of a child, of hundreds of children, if the disablement of hundreds of children is not reason enough for a motion of confidence, what the hell is?” Mr TóibÃn said, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald declared that she has no confidence in the Tánaiste, a sentiment she said is shared by families who feel “let down” by him.
“God hurry the day” when he will be removed from power, she told the Dáil, and claimed the “making and break of promises has come to define” Mr Harris, leading to “deep hurt, pain and anger”, reports RTE.
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik stated that her party could not support the confidence motion, which she said was rooted in a broken commitment.
She said it was one of many broken promises, citing delays on the National Children’s Hospital, childcare provisions, and housing for those in need, reports RTE.
Mr Harris acknowledged that he has never claimed to be without fault and admitted he does not always get things right, but maintained that he always acts with integrity.
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He told the Dáil that he was very mindful of the death of Harvey Morrison, a child whose urgent scoliosis surgery was delayed, and that he had conveyed this to Harvey’s parents, reports RTE.
Mr Harris also said the Government is developing the framework for an inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care, and he plans further discussions with the nine-year-old’s parents.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the Tánaiste, describing him as a hardworking and committed minister helping lead the nation through difficult circumstances, reports RTE.
Earlier, Mr TóibÃn accused the Government of acting “incredibly cynically” by scheduling the confidence vote in Mr Harris this week, which undercut Aontú’s planned no-confidence motion for next week.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr TóibÃn said Aontú was not engaging in political games by submitting the motion during the final week of the presidential campaign, reports RTE.
He added that his party had stated back in summer its intention to bring forward such a motion at the earliest chance.
Mr TóibÃn said that Aontú “may” propose a no-confidence motion in the Government next week, reports RTE.
He criticised Mr Harris for what he described as a major failure to deliver on a pledge made during his time as health minister—that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis surgery.
He also referred to what he described as a “crisis” within Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), reports RTE.
The Government is currently coordinating with advocacy organisations to finalise the structure for the upcoming inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis care at CHI.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has met with families, and a follow-up meeting is being scheduled to further explore available options, reports RTE.
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