What was said in the Dáil as Government survives no confidence motion
Eva Osborne
Sinn Féin tabled a no confidence motion in the Government following fuel protests that brought Irish roads to a standstill.
The Dáil debated the motion and discussed the protests on Tuesday. The Government won the Dáil confidence vote by 92 votes to 78.
The Government was accused of “ arrogance” over the way it handled fuel protests, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald calling the Government “brazen” and said it was “time for an election”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was “manifestly untrue” to suggest the Government has done nothing to help people amid rising fuel prices, and said it was “dishonest” for the opposition to suggest “there are no hard choices”.
The Government announced a €505 million package of support on Sunday to respond to rising fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, but the political fallout from the protests continues as the Dáil returned from the Easter break on Tuesday.
Michael Helay-Rae, a junior minister, resigned over the Government's handling of the fuel protests.
Healy-Rae was among several independent TDs who supported the formation of a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
He told the Dáil on Tuesday that he would be voting against the Government in a confidence motion relating to the fuel crisis on Tuesday.
He also announced his resignation as Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture within the Department of Agriculture.
Opposition TDs labelled the Justice Minister “ Rambo” for his statements during fuel protests last week.
On Thursday, Jim O’Callaghan said the Defence Forces would assist An Garda Síochána in removing vehicles from the blockade.
In a statement, he said: “The blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue, and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested.”
Speaking during a confidence motion in the Dáil, Social Democrat TD Cian O’Callaghan said: “When calm leadership was required, we got chaos.
“Instead of pursuing a strategy of de-escalation, ministers decided to fan the flames. GI Jim O’Callaghan arrived on the scene thinking that he was Rambo.”
Speaking in Irish, he asked: “Where is he now?”
