Government to table motion of confidence in itself
The Government will today table a motion of confidence in itself in the Dáil, after criticism over the events outlined in the Fennelly Report.
Fianna Fáil had hoped to use the return to table a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
It said that while the Fennelly Commission found that Enda Kenny did not sack Martin Callinan, the Taoiseach's actions arguably forced the Garda Commissioner to quit.
However, last night the Government abruptly changed its agenda for the day - and now plans to debate a motion of confidence in itself.
It means the Fianna Fáil motion gets dropped - and Opposition parties cannot table another one within the lifetime of this Government.
The motion will be debated from around 2.30pm, with a vote happening in the early evening.
The Government win the vote by a comfortable majority.
On his way into Leinster House this morning, the Taoiseach accused Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil of playing games.
"If the reason for the motion is that Fianna Fáil want to get in in front of their erstwhile colleagues Sinn Féin, so if the Opposition want to play games, well then that's fine, the Government will respond," he said.
"But our serious intent here is on securing the recovery for all our people."
