McDonald: Ceann Comhairle dispute not over
Sinn Féin Deputy President Mary Lou McDonald has said she will not try to enter the Dáil chamber today.
The Sinn Féin TD is today serving the second day of a two-day suspension after being expelled last Thursday.
But Deputy McDonald says her dispute is not over - and she has no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett.
She says Sinn Féin is meeting today to decide whether to put down a formal motion of no confidence in him:
"I absolutely resent the manner in which the Ceann Comhairle treated me last week," she said.
"I have to say that there's a pattern of this behaviour.
"I have no confidence in him, in the duty that he discharges."
In a statement this afternoon, Sinn Féin party whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the party was seeking an urgent meeting with the Ceann Comhairle .
“The Sinn Féin Dáil Group does not have confidence in the Ceann Comhairle," Deputy Ó Snodaigh said.
"We have put our concerns in writing directly to the Ceann Comhairle and have sought an urgent meeting with him to discuss these.
“Sinn Féin is concerned that the Government has seized upon recent unacceptable incidents at an anti-Water Charge protest to distract from the important issue of the need for the Water Tax to be abolished. We believe this should be the main political focus.
“Sinn Féin will meet with other parties and Independent TDs, who have expressed concerns over the conduct of the Ceann Comhairle.
“A Motion of No Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle remains a live option at this time."
