Mary Lou McDonald ‘turning up for work as normal tomorrow’

Sinn Féin has said deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald is “turning up for work as normal tomorrow” despite being suspended from the Dáil until Wednesday following a four-hour sit-in last week.

Ms McDonald had refused to take her seat after an exchange on water charges with Tánaiste Joan Burton during Leaders' Questions last Thursday.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett stressed the House had voted to suspend Ms McDonald.

“Mary Lou is turning up for work as normal tomorrow. She believes ushers have been instructed to inform her she can’t enter the chamber,” a Sinn Féin spokesman said today.

The Leinster House ushers’ job is to keep order in the Oireachtas.

Earlier, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar dismissed last week's stand-off and sit-in as "antics" which prevented legislation being debated in the Dáil.

“What happened last week was very important legislation was held up. Joan Burton had legislation to increase child benefit and restore the Christmas bonus,” Mr Varadkar said.

“I had legislation to reduce the stamp duty on health insurance and that at least has been kicked back now until next week. So I really don’t know what’s achieved by any of this kind of play-acting.”

Mr Varadkar said Ms McDonald’s move was “obviously” an attempt to remove the Maíria Cahill controversy from the news agenda.

“I suppose they succeeded in doing that but meanwhile the important business of Government has to go on. And I think when you see Mary Lou’s antics in the Dáil last week and when you see the behaviour of the Socialists and others in Jobstown at the weekend, you kind of see what sort of alternative is on offer at the moment and it’s not a very good one.”

Last week, Mr Barrett said he regretted having to adjourn the business of the House.

“It must be clearly understood that it is not my decision that Deputy McDonald leave the House but it is a decision that was taken by the majority by way of vote,” he said.