Brendan Howlin had strong words for the press.
Nurses, Gardaí, pensioners and public servants have been warned not to expect pay increases should a snap general election come to pass, while welfare changes could be frozen
That’s the view from Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin, who spoke at a press conference on Friday afternoon following the news that Fianna Fáil have tabled a motion of no confidence in Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
According to the Irish Examiner, Howlin pointed to next month’s Brexit summit in Brussels as an indicator of possible financial hardship, and criticised the current government at the press conference.
“We have never had confidence in this government,” Howlin said.
“Over 18 months, they have kicked every issue of importance into touch. They have passed deeply flawed budgets, and they have lurched from one crisis to the next.”
The Labour leader also outlined his party’s plan for the possibility of a general election, noting that they are “ready for it”.
“We have been selecting candidates for the last six months,” he added. “I am asking our organisational committee to meet on Monday to complete this work.”
As noted by 3News Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly, the Dáil could collapse in less than one week’s time.
But, and this is crucial – a senior FF source points out the Dail tradition is to reply to a motion of no confidence in a minister, with a countermotion of *confidence in the whole government*.
Source confirms that as it stands, with Frances as a member, FF would vote against it
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 24, 2017
Unless Fianna Fáil retreats, or Frances Fitzgerald resigns.
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 24, 2017
Taoiseach Leo Vradkar and Micheál Martin are set to meet this afternoon.
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