An interesting day in pictures for Sinn Féin on Tuesday.
First, there was that snap taken on the plinth to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (and Sinn Féin’s Bill to create new protection orders for victims of sexual violence, which was being debated that night).
The party leader, Mary–Lou McDonald, posed with Sinn Féin TDs and senators in front of Leinster House, many of them wearing orange to represent the colour of the UN designated day.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, also wearing orange, stood with them in the front row.
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The Sinn Féin politicians were holding copies of a party document on tackling sexual violence with the title Access to Justice.
The photograph was quickly posted on social media by the party, but was later deleted at the Ceann Comhairle’s request. Ms Murphy said she was under the impression she had been invited to a cross-party women’s event to mark the day.
As it turned out, had she stayed on the plinth a little while longer, Verona would have found that all-party event.
Earlier in the day, Fine Gael TD for Louth Paula Butterly circulated all woman members of the Oireachtas with a request to join her on the plinth for a photocall to mark the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It was scheduled for 1.45pm, which was just after Sinn Féin’s event. A small group from a number of parties, including independent TD Gillian Toole, mustered for the photo.
Later in the day, Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin proudly squired controversial punk-rap duo Bob Vylan around Leinster House before their concert in Vicar Street, Dublin.
They were photographed with a number of politicians and staff in Leinster House 2000 annexe. The group was the centre of international controversy after its Glastonbury performance in summer included chants of “death, death to the IDF”.
In Leinster House, a number of TDs and senators were surprised but thrilled when told of the rappers’ presence in the building.
This was because they thought it was Bob Dylan, who was performing in Dublin on the night.
Healy-Raes fondly recall Thatcher and Haughey
When the Cabinet met on Wednesday, there were no senior ministers available to answer questions for the TDs chosen to table questions in Topical Issues slot.
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae was sent in to deputise for his senior colleagues and read out answers and follow up replies on their behalf. Issues included school buildings, ultrasound scans, roads and bovine tuberculosis (TB).
The TB question was from his brother Danny, who was concerned at the low level of compensation given to farmers who lose animals and face financial hardship after an outbreak.
MHR was very familiar with the case history outlined by DHR as it was to do with their neighbour in Kilgarvan, Mikey Joe Murphy, who had an outbreak of tuberculosis last Friday week and 26 of his 66 cows went down with it.
As a full time farmer, Mikey Joe says the compensation will not cover the cost of replacing his animals. “He probably has a name for every cow he has. When they come in to be milked twice a day, he knows their names,” Danny said.
Michael the Minister is right behind his brother in his aim to improve the lot of these farmers in Kerry and beyond.
“And on the names of cows”, he reminded Danny he “may recall that our late father had a cow, and he called her Thatcher for some reason only known to himself”.
DHR didn’t just remember her. “There was another cow called Haughey,” he said.
One TD is on a naughty step all of his own
James O’Connor cemented his place on Micheál Martin’s expanding naughty step with a pointed remark in the Dáil chamber this week about his leader’s level of interest in projects undertaken by members of the lower ranks.
Blink and you would have missed it.
With two general elections already under his belt, the young Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East has become one of the most vocal critics of his party leader.
During recent fallout from the mismanaged Jim Gavin presidential election campaign, O’Connor’s cutting remarks seemed to go deeper under the Taoiseach’s skin than the darts aimed by the rest of his detractors.
And if his latest contribution is anything to go by, relations between the two aren’t set to improve any time soon.
When Simon Harris took questions on Thursday, James – clearly frustrated by a lack of engagement from Micheál Martin – turned instead to the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader for a listening ear.
In light of the Fiscal Advisory Council’s stern warning about Government spending levels, he wanted to mention a major project which could boost the economy by positioning Ireland as an international hub for business start-ups and entrepreneurial activities.
“I gave a presentation to our parliamentary party in relation to having a national, fully supported accelerator being grown and developed in a newly redeveloped IFSC,” he explained to Simon, who also happens to be the Minister for Finance.
“The country needs this to happen and, given my own party leader’s disinterest in it, maybe it’s something that you might take up.”
If he noticed this public barb directed at his fellow Coalition leader, Simon said nothing.
The Fianna Fáil backbencher told him this initiative “could grow our tax base in Ireland, support young entrepreneurs and also be proactive about how we grow our domestic tax base here”.
The Fine Gael leader seemed very interested in his “constructive contribution” and idea for an accelerator project for the Financial Services Centre.
“I’d be very happy if you want to send me on the details of it,” he said, suggesting they could discuss the proposals along with Robert Troy, who is Minister for State with responsibly for international financial services.
“I’d be happy to facilitate that.”
Mr O’Connor presented his 18-page discussion document at a parliamentary party meeting back in April, which we hear was attended by his party leader.
He is obviously happy with his work on “Delivering an internationally visible statement of Ireland’s commitment to innovation” through the establishment of “the world’s most connected innovation campus”.
But not so happy, it appears, with the response from his disconnected leader.
Doherty under-estimates Butler
The Dáil was due to vote on supplementary estimates for public services on Tuesday. These extra budgetary estimates are sent to committee for consideration and Ministers are invited to discuss them. The proposals then go back to the Dáil for a vote.
It is not unusual for a junior minister to attend in their Minister’s absence, although committee members frown upon this practice.
When the estimates for the Department of An Taoiseach were up for discussion, committee members were keen have Micheál Martin in for a grilling. But the Taoiseach was unable to appear on the dates they suggested because of his overseas travel commitments.
This caused uproar in the Dáil on Tuesday with the Opposition accusing the Taoiseach of deliberating avoiding them because he knew the questions would be too embarrassing. These particular estimates were to do with the continuing cost of the Moriarty tribunal and Nama.
Chief Whip Mary Butler deputised for the Taoiseach at those committee meetings and she stood in for him again on Tuesday. He got back from Angola in the afternoon and had to go to Government Buildings for an online meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
The finance spokespeople for the main Opposition parties were incandescent. Over the top, some might say, for what was just a normal round of post-budget housekeeping.
But understandable when they had a chance to get stuck into the Fianna Fáil leader over the tribunals and, more importantly, independent TD Michael Lowry’s role in them.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty was very angry.
“Since the last time we dealt with the estimates, we now have, pulling the strings of government, the star of the show of the Moriarty tribunal, the one and only Michael Lowry, who, as we know, has been found by that same tribunal to be involved in corrupt practices in relation to his time as a minister.”
Millions of euro are still being paid out as a result of that tribunal, he said.
“When we boil it all down, it is as a result of the actions of Deputy Lowry, who is now the glue that keeps the Government in place.”
Ged Nash, of Labour, and Cian O’Callaghan, of the Social Democrats, were similarly incensed.
They won’t have a chance to go after Micheál now because Mary Butler took the estimates discussion to the floor of the House and a vote followed.
Butler did not take to kindly at being downgraded by the Opposition. She said she was perfectly entitled to attend the committee and take the debate in the Dáil, citing precedent set by predecessors including Hildegarde Naughton, Mary Hanafin and then deputy whip, Jack Chambers.
She also stressed that while the tribunal falls within the remit of the Department of An Taoiseach, it is fully independent and the department has no control over it.
As ructions continued over who made the arrangements for the committee meetings, the Chief Whip lost her patience with Pearse.
“You might get away with shouting at people all your life, but I’m here to answer,” she shouted into the din.
“Deputy Doherty, I’ve heard what you said.
“You can try and undermine me all you like – saying that you don’t want a junior minister standing opposite you.”
She leant forward, glaring across at him, emphasising every word.
“I am the Government Chief Whip at the Department of the Taoiseach. I‘m also Minister of State at the Department of Health, at Cabinet, for mental health, and I’m well qualified to stand in here today.
“And you might not recognise that, sitting in opposition, but I am proud of what I am and who I have become as Chief Whip of this Government.”
Right so.
