FF may table motion of censure against McDonald

SF deputy leader criticised for naming ex-politicians of having Ansbacher accounts

Fianna Fáil will today discuss tabling a motion of censure against Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald over her decision to use Dáil privilege to name former politicians who were accused of having offshore bank accounts to evade tax.

The party will hold its weekly parliamentary party on Wednesday where the possible motion may be considered.

Party sources are suggesting a move against the Sinn Féin deputy leader is unlikely unless it was a cross-party motion.

The Oireachtas Committee on Procedures and Privileges (CPP) previously ruled that the Sinn Féin TD’s use of Dáil privilege to name six prominent politicians last December was an abuse.

Fianna Fáil will also discuss its proposals to push for a change in standing orders.
The party wants deputies who break Dáil privilege to face a financial penalty through their salaries.

One party source said: “The only reason Mary Lou did what she did was for publicity and a motion of censure would generate that same publicity.

“We are considering it. But a motion of censure is based on the idea that the deputy acted in good faith. In this incidence, there is no evidence of any.”

A motion of censure has no practical consequences for the Deputy but it is an opportunity for the House to condemn Ms McDonald’s actions.

It is a rarely used mechanism but Independent TD Michael Lowry was the subject of a cross-party one after the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.

The Government chief whip Paul Kehoe has already written to the Ceann Comhairle asking that the Committee on Procedures and Privileges consider it.

Ms McDonald has declined to withdraw the comments and called for a further investigation into the allegations.

Ms McDonald’s intervention last December came after a serving civil servant sent the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) a dossier setting out allegations that former ministers had used Ansbacher accounts to evade tax.

The Revenue Commissioners has informed the PAC that all files drawn up by the civil servant, Gerard Ryan, had been fully examined and followed up.

The CPP ruled last month that Ms McDonald was in breach of Dáil standing orders by making allegations against people who were not members of the House. It wrote to the Sinn Féin TD asking her to withdraw her remarks.