Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a coalition in all but name.

The Taoiseach certainly has the measure of the leader of Fianna Fáil because he knows that Deputy Micheál Martin will fall into line once pressure is applied. This is not about Brexit. This is not about avoiding an election. The national interest is not served by retaining a Minister who is clearly failing.

Today, supply and confidence is exposed. It is not about stability; it is about stagnation. It is a grubby deal by the political establishment to control both Government and Opposition at the same time. Its legacy is seen on waiting lists, on trolley counts and in families struggling to make ends meet.

The question to Deputy Micheál Martin is a simple one. Does he have confidence in the Minister? He either does or he does not. An abstention is a confidence vote in the Minister and a con trick on the people. Unfortunately, this evening we will witness political cowardice and hypocrisy of the highest and of an unparalleled order.

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