The Taoiseach has criticised leading opposition parties over their reaction to fuel blockades, following his Government’s success in securing a motion of confidence.
The coalition passed the confidence vote by 92 to 78 on Tuesday, though it lost two seats from its majority and saw a junior minister resign in the process, reports Breaking News.
Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae opposed the Government in the vote, with Michael Healy-Rae stepping down from his role as minister of state in a dramatic move.
Both had previously been among the independents backing the coalition’s formation, alongside figures such as Michael Lowry TD and Minister of State Seán Canney, reports Breaking News.
The vote was triggered after Sinn Féin announced plans to table a motion of no confidence, criticising the Government’s handling of rising fuel costs and protests that disrupted key national infrastructure.
On Wednesday, Martin addressed Leaders’ Questions and used the session to criticise Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Social Democrats, reports Breaking News.
He accused Sinn Féin of being “incapable” of acknowledging that blockades of critical infrastructure were wrong.
Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said Martin had lost the confidence of the Irish people (Brian Lawless/PA), reports Breaking News.
“You can’t say that’s wrong even though it would have led to a scarcity of oil supply and increased fuel prices,
“You cannot say that it’s wrong to blockade ports, even though it would destroy our economy,
“You can’t say it’s wrong to intimidate bus drivers, you haven’t the courage,” reports Breaking News.
He added: “You’re weak as a political party, absolutely,
“You couldn’t do it. You tried to jump on board, and that’s sad,” reports Breaking News.
He was replying to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who told him that despite surviving the confidence vote: “Please be under no illusion, you have lost the confidence of the Irish people,
“Because of your arrogance, because you don’t understand their lives, because you refuse to listen,” reports Breaking News.
McDonald said she “condemned all forms of intimidation” and added: “And anybody who has known me in any part of my life knows that I may lack many things. I do not lack courage,” reports Breaking News.
Martin also criticised Labour, telling party leader Ivana Bacik that although she had a “responsible approach to politics”, she had been “noticeable by your silence” during the blockades.
Amid protests from Labour benches, he added: “I actually understand why, and I think we do need a discussion about it in this House,
“Because there’s a lot of what went on that you wouldn’t have agreed with, if we’re honest,
“And that was evident in the voting pattern last evening and I think you got a glimpse of what sidling up to Sinn Féin can mean for your party and the damage it can do to you in the time ahead,” reports Breaking News.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik was accused of being ‘afraid of people alongside her’ (Brian Lawless/PA), reports Breaking News.
Martin further claimed Bacik had avoided entering Government because she was “afraid of people alongside” her in the chamber.
The Labour leader responded by telling Martin to “stop rewriting history about Government formation”, reports Breaking News.
She said that an agreement with “the Lowry gang and the Healy-Raes” had already been concluded before any talks with Labour, adding that the arrangement is now “unravelling” following Michael Healy-Rae’s resignation during the fuel crisis.
Bacik rejected claims she had been silent, stating she had urged the Government to engage with representative groups and called on protesters to end blockades last Wednesday, reports Breaking News.
She told the Taoiseach his administration had been “weakened and damaged over” what she described as an “inadequate response to the energy crisis and fuel protests”.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Martin had avoided her questions (Liam McBurney/PA), reports Breaking News.
Responding to criticism from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns over the handling of fuel protests, Martin said: “You said very little last week at all, that’s fair,
“You said nothing. Last Sunday I think was your first speech, that’s fine,” reports Breaking News.
Martin said many people felt reluctant to speak out against the intimidation of gardaí and truck drivers during the protests.
“I accept fully that the opposition wants Government to get a kicking, and I don’t expect you to come in defending Government – that’s accepted,
“But it is disturbing that you don’t have the courage of your conviction in calling out that,” reports Breaking News.
Cairns responded that the Taoiseach was focusing on attacking her party instead of addressing her questions on rising home-heating oil costs and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people and single parents, reports Breaking News.
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