Aontú opt for debate on change to presidential nominations instead of Government no-confidence motion

The party plans to table a motion of no confidence if the Government fails to provide a terms of reference for the inquiry into the scoliosis controversy at CHI within six months

Aontú Leaer Peadar Tóibín had threatened to table a different no-confidence motion targeting the Government next week if it moved to defend itself. Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

Aontú will not put down a no-confidence motion in the Government next week, opting instead to push for a change to presidential nominations.

The Government used Dáil time on Wednesday to run a confidence motion in itself. Party leader Peadar Tóibín had threatened to table a different no-confidence motion targeting the Government next week if it moved to defend itself.

However, the party on Friday said it will use its private members' time instead to argue for changes to the presidential nominations process. 

The party said it will continue to put "as much pressure as possible on the Government to do the right thing for children with scoliosis".

Mr Tóibín said the party had succeeded in forcing the Government to defend itself in light of the death of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison-Sherratt, who died in July.

"If we brought a motion of no confidence against the Government next week, we would not be able to table another such motion for another six months. This would rob us of a key tool to pressure the Government at a key juncture in the future."

"The responsibility is now on the Government to provide a terms of reference for the inquiry that includes the statutory powers to compel people and papers. The responsibility is now on the Government to agree a terms of reference with the families. 

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"The responsibility now is to reform the dysfunction within CHI and provide the necessary resources." 

The party plans to table a motion of no confidence if this is not achieved within six months. 

This week, Tánaiste Simon Harris defended his record as health minister. “I've never claimed to be infallible, but I do act in good faith, and when I make mistakes and when I err, I acknowledge them,” he said.