Seán Sherlock: Questions over Seán Barrett move must be answered

A Coalition minister has said that any questions over why Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett forbade a Dáil debate on an inquiry into alleged Garda malpractice need to be answered.

The remarks by Labour minister Seán Sherlock come as the opposition threaten to bring a motion of no confidence in Mr Barrett over his claim that they are out to undermine him.

Mr Sherlock, minister of state for development and north-south co-operation, told the Irish Examiner last night: “My own view is that if there are question marks around this, then they need to be answered. In any parliamentary democracy, any need for debate needs to be paramount.”