Labour and small parties voting no confidence
LABOUR leader Brendan Howlin yesterday refused to be drawn on his own future although his party will vote no confidence in Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
Mr Howlin declined to say if he would step down if, in the event of a general election, Labour only managed to return with the same number of deputies or fewer.
It came as Labour backbench TD Alan Kelly predicted the party would ‘win seats all over the country and get to double figures; that is our ambition and we are going to do it’.
Mr Howlin said: ‘We are a united party with one objective, to build a strong Labour team in the next Dáil and to maximise Labour votes.’
On the row over the email to Mrs Fitzgerald about Maurice McCabe, he said: ‘It is clear now that a majority of Dáil Éireann does not have confidence in the Tánaiste.
He also said: ‘If the Tánaiste resigns, the threat of an immediate election could pass, allowing the Taoiseach to focus on Brexit and other matters, as Fine Gael have made clear they want to. But if they are determined not to budge, then so be it.
‘It seems likely now that an election will be called over the next week. And we are ready for it.’
And the Social Democrats accused Fine Gael of spoiling for an election. The Greens are expected to vote no confidence in the Tánaiste.
Sinn Féin yesterday said leader-elect Mary Lou McDonald will lead Sinn Féin into the next election. Gerry Adams, its outgoing president, confirmed Ms McDonald would take the reins going into the next election.
TD Pearse Doherty said the campaign would be led by the party’s most senior person: Ms McDonald.