Confidence Motion proves Sinn Féin has no interest in what Irish families care about – Doherty

Sinn Féin has absolutely no interest in the big issues Irish families care about like jobs, healthcare, housing and education, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Leader of Seanad Éireann Senator Regina Doherty said rather than use their time in a constructive manner in helping the country emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald’s party are more interested in looking for political heads and point scoring with a confidence motion into Minister Simon Coveney.

“Sinn Fein’s first priority for the new Dail term is a no confidence motion. This shows how they care about the real issues of concern to Irish families – education, jobs, housing, healthcare, childcare, and ongoing Brexit issues,” said Senator Doherty.

“In their no confidence motion, Sinn Féin has ignored what was heard at committee and released in documents under FOI. They are deliberately ignoring the testimony from Niall Burgess, one of the country’s most senior civil servants, as it doesn’t suit their narrative.

“The response we have seen so far from other opposition politicians is disappointing and sad. Labour and their colleagues are being led by the nose by Sinn Féin. There is no attempt to rise above this Sinn Féin manoeuvre. They are indistinguishable.

“When this is debated, people have a very clear choice.

“Support a Minister who has led from the front at some of the most crucial issues facing this island in recent years including Brexit negotiations and our relations with colleagues in the European Union, power-sharing in the North, the Covid response and our entry into the United Nations Security Council.

“A Minister who spent hundreds of hours negotiating a reconciliation between Sinn Fein and the DUP, bringing two parties who wouldn’t talk to each other back into the power sharing arrangement north of the border.

“A Minister who ensured that Ireland’s interests were placed at the heart of the Brexit negotiations, and continues to do so. 

A Minister who this week chaired a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

“And a Minister who apologised unequivocally to the Oireachtas committee over the envoy issue.

“Compare that to Mary Lou McDonald’s attempt to provoke a General Election. It’s a pretty stark choice. I know which side the Irish people are on,” Senator Doherty said.