Ceann Comhairle asks Taoiseach to review ‘lies’ remark to Mary Lou McDonald

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The Taoiseach has been asked to review remarks he made in Irish accusing the Sinn Féin leader of “telling lies” in the Dail chamber.

Micheál Martin said during a housing debate during Wednesday’s Leaders’ Questions that Mary Lou McDonald was “ag insint breag aris”, which translates to “is telling lies again”.

Ms McDonald asked Mr Martin to withdraw the remark and raised the issue with Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

Under Dáil rules, entitled Salient Rulings of the Chair, a TD would be found to be “disorderly” if they accuse another TD of being deceitful or dishonest.

Ms Murphy, who is not fluent in Irish, said she could not rule on something she did not hear.

She asked Ms McDonald to make a complaint in writing if she wished, which was sent on Wednesday evening.

In her reply to Ms McDonald on Thursday, Ms Murphy said she had asked the Taoiseach to “review” his remarks.

“I refer to your letter relating to remarks made in the Dail on Wednesday, 12 February, by the Taoiseach on Leaders’ Questions,” she wrote.

“As you will be aware, shortly after the Taoiseach made his remarks, the matter was raised as a point of order by Deputy Doherty.

“In the heat of debate in the Dail chamber, it may sometimes be necessary to review remarks after the event when the transcript is available.

“As I stated in the chamber, I did not hear the remarks myself.

“However, following Deputy Doherty’s intervention, I raised the matter with the Taoiseach in the chamber and said that I would review the transcript at a later point.

“I have now had the opportunity to review the transcript, which I enclose.

“In view of the remarks made by the Taoiseach, I will copy this letter to him, along with a copy of the transcript, requesting that the Taoiseach review his remarks in the context of the rulings of the Chair on parliamentary debate.”

The transcript quotes the Taoiseach as saying “is oth lioma ra go bhfuil an Teachta Dala ag insint breag aris”, which translates as “I regret to say the TD is telling lies again”.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach had said on Wednesday that Mr Martin did not intend to withdraw his remarks, characterising the row as a “distraction tactic by Sinn Féin”.