Sinn Féin accuses McEntee of 'brazen arse-covering'

While this wasn’t a vote of confidence and the Government’s future did not depend on it, TDs and the Justice Minister fought like it did

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee speaking to the media after the latest Cabinet meeting. Picture: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA

“Brazen arse-covering” was the accusation from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald as the pressure mounted on Justice Minister Helen McEntee across the Dáil chamber yesterday.

McEntee had used a lengthy statement session to launch a staunch defence of her record in the Department of Justice, pointing to an increase in Garda recruits being sent to the capital. Out of the 227 recruits who graduated from Templemore so far this year, 165 have been sent to Dublin, she said.