Taoiseach says it is ‘sad’ Sinn Féin ‘tried to jump on board’ blockades

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Taoiseach has criticised major opposition parties for their response to fuel blockades, after his Government won a motion of confidence.

The coalition won a motion of confidence by a margin of 92 votes to 78 on Tuesday, but suffered a loss of two seats in its majority and the resignation of a junior minister in the process.

Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae voted against the Government, with the latter resigning as minister of state in spectacular fashion.

They had been among independents who had supported the formation of the coalition, along with others including Michael Lowry TD and Minister of State Seán Canney.

The vote was called after Sinn Féin said it would bring a motion of no confidence in the Government over its response to fuel costs as well as its handling of related protests which saw critical national infrastructure blockaded.

On Wednesday, Martin fielded Leaders’ Questions and used the opportunity to criticise Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats.

He accused Sinn Féin of being “incapable” of saying the blockades of critical infrastructure were wrong.

“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.”

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.”

He was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who told him that while he survived the confidence motion: “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.”

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.”

Martin also took aim at Labour, telling party leader Ivana Bacik that while she had a “responsible approach to politics” she had been “noticeable by your silence” during the blockades.

Amid objections from the 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.”

Martin further accused Bacik for not entering into Government because she was “afraid of people alongside” her in the chamber.

The Labour leader told Martin he had to “stop rewriting history about Government formation”.

She said an agreement with “the Lowry gang and the Healy-Raes” had been finalised before any engagement with Labour, adding that that “deal is now unravelling” following Michael Healy-Rae’s resignation over the fuel crisis.

Bacik said she did not accept Martin’s claim about silence, stating she had called on Government to meet representative organisations and for protesters to lift blockades last Wednesday.

She told the Taoiseach his Government had been “weakened and damaged over” his “inadequate response to the energy crisis and fuel protests”.

Responding to criticism of the handling of fuel protests from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, 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.”

Martin said there were a lot of people who felt afraid to condemn intimidation of gardai and truck drivers which occurred 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.”

Cairns said the Taoiseach was attacking her party rather than answering her questions on home-heating oil rises as well as cost-of-living impacts on disabled people and single parents.