Sinn Féin: We’re not looking for election despite tabling motion

Sinn Féin has denied wanting to trigger a general election with the tabling of a motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste, but insists the party is ready for one if the Government collapses.

Outlining reasons for calling on Jobs Minister Frances Fitzgerald to go, TDs said she had failed to adequately answer questions about an email sent to her over whistleblower Maurice McCabe. This detailed a planned legal strategy that the Garda commissioner’s team had against Sgt McCabe in May 2015.

Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said: “She has failed to account for the fact that she has taken no action on foot of this email. She had prior knowledge of it despite the fact the Taoiseach had to correct the record a number of times. She had prior knowledge of it and she took no action. This is at the same time that she and her government said that they would offer full protection legally and otherwise and full support for whistleblowers.”