Sinn Féin 'leaning towards' motion of no-confidence in McEntee, sources claim
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said last Friday in the aftermath of the stabbing attack and riots that followed that both Ms McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris should resign their posts. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Sinn Féin has yet to table a motion of no confidence in Justice Minister Helen McEntee, but party sources say they are "leaning that way" ahead of tomorrow's deadline.
The party must decide by 11am whether it will seek to oust the minister, embattled since last week's riots in Dublin. It is understood that as of now, the Dáil's Business Committee has been told that the party will put down a private members' bill for debate on Tuesday around the issue of justice and policing.
However, sources said this could change overnight as Sinn Féin has yet to hear anything from Ms McEntee which assures them she is up to the job.
Ms McEntee on Thursday fought back, saying that she is confident that she would win any such vote.
"I have full support of my party, the full support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the support of my cabinet colleagues. I'm focused on my work and everybody else's as well."
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said last Friday in the aftermath of the stabbing attack and riots that followed that both Ms McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris should resign their posts.
However, it is unlikely that any motion would succeed. Sources said the Government would have the numbers within its own ranks and with sympathetic independents. The Labour Party has said that any motion would be a stunt.
Within Fianna Fáil, there is much criticism of Ms McEntee's performance privately, but backbench TDs accept that likely triggering a general election is not something most TDs will want, particularly given the time of year.
The Government launched a staunch backing of Ms McEntee on Tuesday during statements on policing in the Dáil, with contributors railing against Sinn Féin's plan to "sow division". However, Ms McDonald accused the Government during that debate of "brazen arse covering".
In an appearance at the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Wednesday, Mr Harris said he would not resign, either.
Asked by Fine Gael's Colm Brophy about his response to calls for his resignation, Mr Harris said bluntly: "I am not going to resign. I care too much about this job. I have too much work to do, and part of that is responding to this, so I have no intention of resigning."
