Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Several of the Taoiseach's parliamentary colleagues voted no confidence in him yesterday. Others would have done the same but they thought the timing was wrong.

We returned here after Christmas to deal with the finance Bill. It could be dealt with in a couple of weeks but the Taoiseach has given every excuse under the sun to try to cling on to power for as long as possible. He has given indicative dates and has referred to the Taoiseach's prerogative to call an election. There is a motion of no confidence in the Government, tabled by the Labour Party, before the Taoiseach. Will he debate it this week? He has said repeatedly that he will remain Taoiseach as long as he and the Government has the confidence of the House. Let us put it to the test.

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