Two Regional Independent TDs vote against Government on Sinn Féin bill

James Cox

Two TDs who are part of the Coalition-supporting Regional Independent Group voted against the Government on Wednesday night on Sinn Féin's Israeli bonds bill.

Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole voted with the Opposition despite previously saying they would support the Government on motions similar to this.

Up until now, the pair have voted with the Coalition.

TDs voted 87-75 against a motion brought by Sinn Féin to force the Irish Central Bank to end its role in facilitating the 'Israeli war bonds' in the EU.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has previously said the Sinn Féin motion was unworkable and inconsistent with EU law.

Members of the Opposition held up signs saying "stop funding genocide" as they failed in the Dáil vote.

In a statement, Mr Heneghan said he voted in favour of the Sinn Féin motion “because Ireland shouldn’t facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza”.

“I’m voting for the bill because Ireland shouldn’t facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza,” he added.

“This is about standing up for international law and basic human rights.”

Mr Heneghan said he was “fully committed” to the Programme for Government, adding “as an Independent TD, I reserve the right to act on matters of conscience”.

“The situation is urgent, and Ireland must show leadership,” he said.

Mr Heneghan and Ms O’Toole are part of the Regional Independent Group of TDs, which is informally led by Michael Lowry, whose role in government formation talks was controversial.

Speaking rights on opposition time for the group led to huge confrontation in the Dáil, delaying the nomination of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the formation of Dáil committees.