TDs accuse Fianna Fáil of ‘farce’ over mid-term break vote

Fine Gael and opposition TDs have accused Fianna Fáil of turning new politics into “farce” after insisting the party agreed in private to take next week off before back-tracking when it came to a public vote.

The claim was made after a Dáil row erupted when Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the mid-term break sends out “the wrong signal completely”, despite being told that his party colleagues did not oppose the move last week.

Under plans agreed by the business committee last Wednesday, the Dáil was due to take an 11-day break until November 8, with the lost time made up at the end of December.

While no formal vote took place on whether to agree to take the period off, opposition committee members confirmed this was because no objections were made by Fianna Fáil TDs Michael Moynihan and committee chair Seán Ó Fearghaíl, or anyone else in the group.

During the Dáil’s order of business yesterday, Government chief whip and Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty informed parliament of the decision, adding it would allow a vital Brexit forum to take place next Wednesday.

However, despite the fact the committee’s minutes confirm it occurred by consensus, Mr Martin heavily criticised the news — forcing a vote which saw both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil oppose the pre-agreed schedule by 111 votes to 9.

Responding to Mr Martin, Ms Doherty said that it was surprising “a fella who is so in charge of Dáil reform” wanted to reject the business committee’s decision.