Government set to win McEntee confidence motion 

Pressure had mounted on minister in recent weeks after riots broke out in Dublin city centre in late November

Pressure had mounted on Helen McEntee in recent weeks after riots broke out in Dublin city centre in late November. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Government appeared set to win a confidence vote in Justice Minister Helen McEntee on Monday evening, as Tánaiste Micheál Martin criticised Sinn Féin for overusing such motions.

Pressure had mounted on Ms McEntee in recent weeks after riots broke out in Dublin city centre in late November, with Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats chief among those calling for her to go.

On Friday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed her party’s intention to table a motion, saying that there has been a failure of leadership by both Ms McEntee and the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Several Independent TDs have confirmed that they would vote confidence in Ms McEntee, including Cathal Berry, Denis Naughton, Noel Grealish and Peter Fitzpatrick. Former Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry is also set to vote with the Government.

Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit and a host of Independents were set to vote no-confidence in Ms McEntee, but would not reach the 81 votes necessary to remove her from the Department of Justice.

While there were early reports that Fianna Fáil backbenchers could vote against Ms McEntee, Mr Martin said that he had heard nothing to that effect.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan had been scheduled to fly home from the Cop28 climate conference in Dubai for the vote, but has since been offered a pairing agreement with Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore.

A spokesperson for Mr Ryan confirmed that he spoke with both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste about the agreement, who supported 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.

Ms Whitmore said that Mr Ryan having to fly back to Dublin and then immediately back to the conference “made absolutely no sense from a practical or environmental perspective”.

“Rather than missing the talks for two days to return to cast a single vote, it is preferable that the minister remains at Cop28 and ensures that Ireland’s voice is heard,” Ms Whitmore said.

However, Ms Whitmore said that the Social Democrats had no confidence in Ms McEntee and would be voting accordingly. She added that the pairing arrangement means that their votes will instead be cancelled out.

Speaking on Sunday, the Tánaiste criticised Sinn Féin for tabling a no-confidence motion in Ms McEntee, saying that such votes are being used with “increasing regularity”.

“Motions of confidence have become mechanisms that are used with increasing regularity by opposition, in particular by Sinn Fein,” Mr Martin said.

“So, I think, you know, there will be strong government support and clearly a number of independents have indicated their support as well.

“So, I expect the motion of confidence in Helen McEntee to be passed.”