The Taoiseach must clarify the process for him stepping aside as Fine Gael leader to avoid confusion, Government Chief Whip Regina Doherty has said, writes Daniel McConnell Irish Examiner, Political Editor .
Ms Doherty is the latest minister to speak out amid the ongoing speculation about Enda Kenny’s future as leader of Fine Gael.
Speaking on The Michael Reade Show on LMFM on Friday, Ms Doherty said the leadership issue must not become a distraction.
“Unless there’s clarification of the process laid out, there will be confusion. Otherwise you’re going to have me and the other 49 members of Fine Gael telling you something different until it is clarified,” she said.
“It would be fair if the Taoiseach clarified this so we could get back to normal,” Ms Doherty added.
A new opinion poll showed Social Protection Minister Leo Vardakar is the most popular choice to replace Mr Kenny as Fine Gael leader.
The poll follows a horrible week for Mr Kenny during which a number of Independent Ministers voted against the rest of the Government to support an abortion bill put forward by Wexford TD Mick Wallace.
Meanwhile, Ms Doherty was under fire this morning after the Dáil was minutes away from collapsing as Government TDs failed to show up this morning.
Ceann Comhairle has hit out at tardy TDs – after Dáil business was delayed because not enough deputies were present.
Today’s business was due to begin at 10.30am. However, it did not get underway until 11.10am, as there were too few members in the chamber.
Dáil rules require a minimum of 20 TDs to be present before business can start – but for half an hour, only 15 were present.
When business did finally get underway, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl was critical of the delay.
“I think some people need to be aware of the responsibilities that they have in order to be here in the chamber when legislation is to be discussed and debated,” he said.
“I would say to those who look for more time to discuss legislation to be conscious that, when the time is provided, there is a responsibility on those people to be present,” he added.
Former Labour Minister Joan Burton tweeted her criticism of the failure of Government TDs to show up, even though she herself wasn’t present.
Another former Labour minister, Senator Kevin Humphreys tweeted: “New politics 20 minutes no Quorum in the Dáil proceedings may be postponed today only 3 Government TDS present”.
New politics 20 minutes no Quorum in the #Dail proceedings may be postponed today only 3 Government TDS present
— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysTD) July 8, 2016
