Coalition partners angered by Fianna Fáil distancing from referendum defeats

Fianna Fáil leader in the Seanad Lisa Chambers revealed that she had voted against both questions, despite having canvassed for a double Yes vote

Fianna Fáil leader in the Seanad Lisa Chambers revealed that she had voted against both questions put forward by the Government on family and care, despite having canvassed for a double Yes vote. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Moves by Fianna Fáil politicians to distance themselves from the Government's referendum defeats last weekend have angered coalition partners.

Fianna Fáil leader in the Seanad Lisa Chambers revealed that she had voted against both questions put forward by the Government on family and care, despite having canvassed for a double Yes vote. 

That revelation earned a stinging rebuke from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who told the Irish Examiner in Boston that he has always "voted the way that I've campaigned”.

“If I ask people to vote yes, then I vote yes. If I ask people to vote no, I vote no. If I ask you to vote for a particular candidate, I vote for those candidates and that's just the way I do things.”

However, he insisted he still has confidence in Lisa Chambers as leader of the Seanad.

But Leo Varadkar said he "doesn't understand" why Government TDs and senators are now coming out to announce they voted against the referendums.

"I don't see what's to be gained by saying that you're on the winning side after you know they've already won."

Asked if the confusion around the vote had led to last-minute deflections, Mr Varadkar said: "Government TDs and Government senators - it's their full-time job to be aware of these things. I can understand everyday voters have busy lives, but this legislation was published back in December. So Government TDs and government senators had ample time and they're paid to do this, to read and understand the issues at hand."

He added: "I don't anticipate it'll adversely affect relations with Fianna Fáil in any way. But I would question why people would announce that they're on the winning side, only after they realised who had won."

Last week's family amendment proposed extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on “durable” relationships. It was defeated with more than 67% voting against.

The care amendment proposed deleting references to a woman’s roles and duties in the home, and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers. Some 73.9% voted no.

However, Ms Chambers was joined in criticising the referendums by veteran TD Willie O'Dea, who said Fianna Fáil needs to "start listening to the people, stop talking down to them and stop listening to the out-of-touch Greens and NGOs". 

This view was echoed by Cork East TD James O'Connor, who said he "couldn't agree more". 

On Tuesday morning, two Fianna Fáil TDs — Carlow-Kilkenny's John McGuinness and Cavan-Monaghan's Niamh Smyth — said that they had voted no, Ms Smyth to the care question. 

She said she had changed her mind based on the campaigning of the likes of disability advocate Senator Tom Clonan.

Those revelations have angered some government TDs, particularly in the Green Party. 

Sources within the junior coalition partner say they were "surprised" at the response by Fianna Fáil politicians, given all three parties had canvassed for a Yes/Yes vote. One Green Party source said:

If Willie O'Dea is so concerned about health and housing, he should look at who is the minister in each of those.

Another said the Fianna Fáil reaction had been "a mess" and accused the party of chasing votes by spouting "nonsensical American talking points".

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan said that what way politicians voted was less important than the Government acting on the results of the referenda.

"The referendums were resoundingly defeated," he told the Irish Examiner.

"It's important that politicians and policymakers listen to the public now. 

"The public has spoken and they want the provisions of real care for people with additional needs. How we treat the most vulnerable is the measure of us."

Mr Moynihan said the Government must now ratify the opening protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities immediately as a sign it has heard the vote. 

He added that there must also be a senior cabinet minister dealing with disabilities.

"22% of people identify with a disability and it's high time there is influence at Cabinet," he said adding that budget talks must see wholescale moves on provision and funding.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has defended the decision of two Fine Gael senators to miss last week's referendum votes to attend a rugby game, saying he is "not their mammies".

Senators John McGahon and Garret Ahearn went to London to watch the Ireland-England game in the Six Nations last week, flying early on Friday morning.

Speaking in Boston, Leo Varadkar said: “Perhaps it was a trip that was organised long before polling day was set, I honestly don’t know.

“Certainly I wouldn’t be one who has missed many votes, I have missed the odd one for work reasons but I would always try to be there,” he added.

Mr Varadkar added that "decisions are made by those who show up".