Fianna Fáil's Justice Spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan has confirmed that Fianna Fáil will not vote with the government in next week's motion of no confidence in Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
Sinn Féin tabled the motion earlier this afternoon, following confusion over when the Tánaiste became aware of the Gardaí's alleged legal strategy to question Sergeant Maurice McCabe's credibility.
The Taoiseach had told the Dáil the Taoiseach was unaware of the Gardaí's alleged approach towards Mr. McCabe until it was in the public domain. An email has since surfaced that Minister Fitzgerald concedes she read in May 2015, a year before the information was leaked into the public domain.
Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald has said that Minister Fitzgerald failed to protect Mr. McCabe as a whistleblower, given what she knew.
In order to defeat the motion of no confidence, Fine Gael would need Fianna Fáil to vote with the government. Deputy O'Callaghan confirmed tonight that this will not happen, in a move that could trigger a general election.
O'Callaghan has said it is not Fianna Fáil's intention to trigger an election, but if that is the case then "so be it."
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