Motion of no confidence in Coveney 'goes to the heart' of Irish politics, says McDonald

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party believes the Zappone affair spoke to the way the Government does business. Picture: Damien Storan

The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has denied that a motion of no confidence in Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney is a political stunt, saying that the issue "goes to the heart" of politics in Ireland.

Sinn Féin will move the motion when the Dáil returns tomorrow after the summer break, aiming to remove Mr Coveney from office over his handling of the appointment of Katherine Zappone as the UN special envoy on Freedom of Expression.