FF to abstain in vote of no confidence in Government

Fianna Fáil will abstain in a vote of no confidence in the Government this week despite having serious concerns over its handling of the Garda whistleblower controversy.

The Dáil will debate a motion tabled by Sinn Féin in response to revelations that Tusla wrongly sent files containing false allegations about Sgt Maurice McCabe to An Garda Síochána.

However, Fianna Fáil has confirmed it will adhere to the confidence and supply agreement and will not support the motion. A party source said it may seek to table a counter-motion which reflects the gravity of the issues involved.

Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald criticised the position taken by Fianna Fáil. She claimed this was a bad Government that was moving from crisis to crisis and insisted an election was required.

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“There is a choice facing each Dáil Deputy and party, including Fianna Fáil – to bring this chaos to an end or to facilitate a Government that has lost its authority,” said Ms McDonald.

Frustration

The decision of Fianna Fáil to abstain ensures the Government’s survival. However, relations between the Independent Alliance and Fine Gael have taken another hit.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has expressed frustration with the decision of Minister for Children Katherine Zappone not to inform the Cabinet of her meeting with Sgt McCabe and her knowledge of the Tusla involvement.

Mr Ross is said to be furious that Ministers were blindsided by the revelations and will raise it at this week’s Cabinet meeting.

Ms Zappone has been out of the country all weekend but is due back to Dublin today.

Tusla error

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste both insisted yesterday the Minister had not informed them of her knowledge of the Tusla error despite Ms Zappone claiming she had consulted with relevant Government colleagues.

Enda Kenny confirmed he was aware of the meeting with Ms Zappone and the McCabe family in January.

However he claimed he did not follow up on the content of the discussion because the Minister had met the family in a private capacity.

A spokesman later clarified the Taoiseach meant the meeting was confidential.

Frances Fitzgerald also insisted she was not informed of the Tusla involvement and did not seek to follow up on Ms Zappone’s discussions with the family.

Terms of reference

Ms Fitzgerald said she was focused on preparing the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into the alleged smear campaign of Sgt McCabe.

Had anything needed to be raised, the Tánaiste said she would have expected Ms Zappone to contact her.

The scope for the commission of investigation is to be expanded to include the interactions between gardaí and Tusla and also the Health Service Executive.

The two agencies have apologised to Sgt McCabe for his treatment. However the family has not accepted the HSE’s position.

In a statement Mr McCabe said neither he nor his wife Lorraine were contacted prior to the apology being issued.

Inaccuracies

He also claimed it contained inaccuracies and does not coincide with the information they received under Freedom of Information.

Mr McCabe, who is considering suing the State for damages, said: “Our FOI file highlights serious questions to be answered and a blanket statement from the HSE without contacting us was unprofessional and [of] more annoyance to us.”

The secretary general of the Department of Health contacted HSE chief executive Tony O’Brien yesterday seeking to ensure contact was made with the family.