Eamon Ryan won't return from Cop28 for no-confidence vote after pairing agreement 

Pairing arrangements are typically arranged between the Government and the opposition in the case of TD absences from the Dáil

Eamon Ryan, who is in the United Arab Emirates for the Cop28 climate conference. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will not return from Dubai to vote confidence in Justice Minister Helen McEntee, after being offered a pairing agreement by the Social Democrats.

Mr Ryan, who is in the United Arab Emirates for the Cop28 climate conference, confirmed that he had been offered the pair by Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.

Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no-confidence in Ms McEntee last week, saying that following the stabbing of three children and their carer in Dublin and the riots that followed, Ms McEntee "refuses to acknowledge the political failures that allowed our communities to become unsafe".

A spokesperson for Mr Ryan said that he has been in contact with both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on the matter, who are in support of the arrangement.

“They have agreed that this occasion could be seen as an exception to the normal pairing arrangements for such motions,” the spokesperson said.

Over the weekend, Mr Ryan said that he would have to return from Cop to vote confidence in Ms McEntee, losing two days of work at the conference.

He confirmed that he did have confidence in Ms McEntee and the Government overall.

Ms Whitmore said that she made the offer to Mr Ryan due to the importance of Ireland being represented at the climate talks.

“This won't change the outcome of the motion as our votes will simply cancel each other out, but will allow for continuity at climate talks,” Ms Whitmore said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Dáil pairing arrangements are typically arranged between the Government and opposition in the case of TD absences from the Dáil.

This usually occurs whenever Government ministers are abroad on official business and a Dáil vote is due to take place, with a paired opposition TD not voting to cancel out the absence.