Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach did not ask for his resignation, as I understand it. In 2009, the former Fianna Fáil Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, made defamatory remarks to a journalist about the Sinn Féin Limerick council candidate Maurice Quinlivan. Deputy Willie O'Dea swore an affidavit that he had not made those remarks and then retracted it when a journalist produced a tape-recording of the comments. The Taoiseach then tabled at motion of no confidence in Deputy Willie O'Dea and sought, quite rightly, his resignation at that time. Surely that rationale must apply to this case. Cad é an difir? Last night, like Tammy Wynette, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste were standing by their man. If the Minister had not offered his resignation, he would still be the Minister. Where is the rationale between the Taoiseach's position in 2009 and his current position?

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