Martin hits back at SF poll appeal
TANAISTE Micheal Martin has accused Sinn Fein of not having the substantial policies needed to contest a General Election.
The Fianna Fail leader and Foreign Affairs Minister sparred with Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty during Leaders’ Questions over the coalition government’s record in office.
Opposition parties are pushing for a General Election to be called after Leo Varadkar’s resignation.
But members of the opposition have called it an undemocratic way to select the next leader of the country.
Mr Doherty said: “The Taoiseach has thrown in the towel, he has said he’s not up for the job. None of you are up for the job. What the public need is change.
“What they don’t need is a rearranging of the deckchairs in this Government, a Government that is spectacularly failing.
“Let the people decide, because we will go toe to toe with you in the morning.”
Mr Martin said the people do not want a General Election.
He added: “You want an election every year. I’m more focused on the breadand-butter issues that matter to people.
“Don’t be talking to me and lecture me on elections.
“You’re not ready for a General Election, deputy.
No, you’re not. You need policies, deputy, and you need substance. You don’t have substance.”
Labour leader Ivana
Bacik accused the coalition of engaging in an “act of political self-preservation”.
She said: “Fine Gael is grappling with an exodus, Fianna Fail and the Greens will apparently cling to a sinking ship no matter what, following yesterday. And it’s having a serious effect on our policies, on our governance.”