Government survives following Dáil motion of no confidence

The Irish government has successfully defeated a motion of no confidence, winning a Dáil vote by 92 to 78.

After over two and a half hours of debate, the government, led by Taoiseach Michéal Martin of Fianna Fáil and Tánaiste Simon Harris from Fine Gael, survived with a 14-vote majority, following the motion by Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin criticised the Government for not reconvening the Dáil last week and for not engaging directly with fuel protesters.
In its proposal, Sinn Féin is calling on the Dáil to declare no confidence in the current Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coalition Government.

The party said the government failed to adequately protect people from financial hardship and ignored warnings as fuel prices rose sharply for weeks, while the Dáil did not sit for 20 days.

This followed a highly contentious week of nationwide fuel protests that saw ports and oil refineries blockaded, causing widespread fuel shortages.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the government of being "out of touch" and demeaning peaceful protesters.

In a roll call vote, McDonald’s party colleagues Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty voted in no-confidence against the government, as did Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party, while Fianna Fáil’s Donegal duo of Pat the Cope Gallagher and Charlie McConalogue.

Michael Healy-Rae resigned as a Minister of State during his speech. He, like his bother Danny, stated he would vote against the government, declaring he had to stand with the "tractor men, lorry men, and farmers" of rural Ireland who are "really suffering".