Martin leaves chamber in row over questions

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin withdrew from the Dáil chamber, claiming the Taoiseach was avoiding answering questions.

Mr Martin protested when Enda Kenny did not take questions relating to measures he had put in place to meet his commitment about Government accountability to the Oireachtas. Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe replied to the questions instead.

Mr Martin said he found it objectionable that the Taoiseach had left the chamber.

“No only does he refuse to answer question these days, but he leaves the chamber when questions to the Taoiseach are due to be answered.’’

He said that when he had asked the Taoiseach about statements he made to the GAA, the question was transferred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport because it had nothing to do with his responsibilities to the House. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar had then told the Dáil he could not answer the question because he was not present for the Taoiseach’s speech.

“This happens every day in a widening variety of areas, but we keep hearing claims of reform and accountability.”

Mr Martin said there was a “systematic attempt to reduce accountability to the chamber’’.

Mr Kehoe said he could assure Mr Martin that no effort was being made by the Government to reduce accountability to the House. Perhaps it was because Mr Martin’s predecessors had “droned on’’ in replying to questions in the past.

The party whips had come up with reforms which would be introduced by the first sitting day in September. Fianna Fáil had failed to introduce one reform during its 14 years in power, said Mr Kehoe.

Mr Martin accused Mr Kehoe of giving “an overly partisan and ridiculous response’’ to the points he had made.

“Over a number of weeks I have systematically pointed out the degree to which Cabinet confidentiality has been extended,’’ he added.

Mr Martin said he would leave the House because he had not received a genuine response to the questions tabled. He had tabled them to the Taoiseach and not the Chief Whip.