Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on the record that Sinn Féin misled the Business Committee on Thursday when it indicated it intended to table a Private Members' motion on a matter related to social protection. It was made aware on Friday that its Private Members' motion, it being a motion of no confidence, could not be taken in the House tonight because under Standing Orders, a motion of no confidence or confidence must be voted upon immediately and it cannot be a reduced vote. It was made aware of this on Friday. It waited until Monday to bring forward alternative arrangements, by which time the Government had brought forward its own arrangements because a motion of no confidence in one of its Ministers had been signalled.

In addition, Sinn Féin neglected to use the time it had yesterday following the Business Committee and before the time for Private Members' submissions closed to revert to its original Private Members' motion, which it could have secured for tonight. It did not do so, however. It is not our fault that it does not know the procedures or rules of the House.

When a motion of no confidence in a Minister is moved, it is customary for the Government to move a motion of confidence. The Opposition is expecting a Minister to come into the House to carry on his or her duties with a motion pending. The same Minister will take oral parliamentary questions this evening. How on earth does the Opposition expect a Minister to come into the House and carry on his or her duties when there is a motion pending? This needs to be dealt with now, which is why the Government is acting in this way now. It is a shame the Opposition is costing the taxpayer €25,000 through its antics when we are dealing with this and getting on with running the country.

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