The no confidence vote is imminent.
Despite facing a vote of no confidence, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has proved quite bullish since opposition rival Mary Lou McDonald announced her party’s plans to challenge the current administration.
On Tuesday, the vote will take place in Dáil Éireann – read our in-depth explainer of how we got to this point and what is likely to happen next right here.
Following confirmation of the vote by Mary Lou McDonald on Friday, the Taoiseach noted how he is welcoming the “opportunity” to showcase how effective his Government has been in recent years.
Speaking on Monday (11 July), he reiterated that confidence while going one step further in claiming that the Irish public simply does not wish for a general election to occur any time soon.
Dismissing the vote as a “cynical ploy” on behalf of Sinn Féin, the Taoiseach said that “the Irish people do not want an election”.
According to RTÉ News, the Taoiseach waved away claims of currying favour with Independent TDs ahead of Tuesday’s vote, insisting that the current Government does not engage in “side deals” with independent politicians, but does take their concerns into account when raised.
One such Independent TD who has announced his backing for the current Government is Tipperary-based Michael Lowry, who declared his support on Monday, citing concerns that a collapsed administration would postpone the forthcoming Budget at a critical time for Irish society.
In bringing the vote to the table, Mary Lou McDonald said: “Two years on, we believe this Government has run out of road, they’re out of time and we think it is important now to hold them to account.”
If the vote of no confidence passes, it means that both the Government and the Taoiseach are forced to resign.
This would then trigger either a Dáil vote to elect a replacement Taoiseach, or dissolve the entire government and force a General Election.
As the largest opposition party, Sinn Féin would be looking to take over from the current Government, either by voting in Mary Lou McDonald as replacement Taoiseach or by receiving a majority in a general election.
A Government has failed a vote of no-confidence just twice, once in 1982, and again in 1992, with the last such vote on the matter taking place in 2017 during Enda Kenny’s reign as Taoiseach.
Featured images via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
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