Enda Kenny: Sinn Fin throwing aside democracy
Sinn Fin can talk the talk about democracy but are willing to "throw it aside" when it suits their political needs, the Taoiseach said as the row rumbled on over Thursdays Dil sit-in which brought parliamentary business to a halt.
Speaking in New York, Enda Kenny said it was utterly reprehensible for Sinn Fin leader Gerry Adams to cast aspersions about the freedom of the press to write their stories.
Responding to comments by Mr Adams about a newspaper editor being held at gun-point, which have been criticised by the National Union of Journalists, Mr Kenny said: To give any threat, implied or otherwise, I find is utterly reprehensible and disgraceful.
Sometimes I dont like what the press might say about me, and I suppose every politician would be the same.
But a fundamental tenet of our democracy is freedom of expression and the capacity of the press, and those who work in the press, to do their job.
Sinn Fin is considering proposing a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Sen Barrett, whom the party accused of acting as a shield against scrutiny of Government.
During Thursdays leaders questions, Mr Barrett ruled Sinn Fin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald out of order and called a vote to suspend her.
She had been questioning Tnaiste Joan Burton on whether social welfare payments would be deducted for those who did not pay water charges, and refused to sit down at the Ceann Comhairles request.
The party staged a four-hour sit-in before coming out to the Dil plinth, where Mr Adams told the media the basic tenet of parliamentary democracy holding the Government to account does not function in the Dil.
The incident has been described as a stunt to divert attention from Sinn Fins treatment of Belfast rape victim Maria Cahill, whose case was the subject of a Dil debate on Wednesday.
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Enda Kenny: Sinn Fin throwing aside democracy