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TANAISTE FRANCES FITZGERALD has resigned.
She informed her Cabinet colleagues this morning, ahead of a planned motion of no confidence by Fianna Fáil tonight.
It follows days of political turmoil, a fresh trawl of Department of Justice documents and several private meetings between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.
Fitzgerald has confirmed she will still allow her name go forward for the Dublin Mid-West selection convention. The Fine Gael meeting takes place tonight.
Here’s how the day’s events played out:
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin are going to meet again this morning. It’s understood that both are still keen to avoid an election.
We want to hear your comments on this so please get in touch in the comments section below.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 that Fitzgerald needs to go.
I just think that the Tanaiste needs to go. It’s utterly farcical to say that we should wait for the tribunal, of course Francis Fitzgerald will have to give testimony to the tribunal and others within the department.
“In fact it seems to me that there’s now another dimension to this and there needs to be an investigation, whether through the tribunal or separately, as to how a disclosure order was not complied with. That’s a most serious matter.”
Labour’s Alan Kelly has said the latest emails make Fitzgerald’s position untenable.
Kelly is critical of the current Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and says the Justice Department refused to answer parliamentary questions he asked from 27 October.
Kelly also says an inquiry needs to be launched as to why these emails were not provided to the tribunal in the first place.
“The evidence that has been produced in the last 24 hours shows that there was an awareness level in relation of what was going on in relation to a legal strategy and that to me means her position is absolutely untenable.
The Minister needs to resign or else the Taoiseach needs to act. It is absolute total and utter madness if we have an election now.
That sentiment has been echoed by former Justice Minister Alan Shatter. He sent a tweet this morning that an election would be “total madness”.
It has just turned 8am, it looks certain now that if Francis Fitzgerald does not resign by 8pm, there will be a General Election.
RTÉ is reporting that the Independent Alliance is going to meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this morning before the cabinet meets.
Up until now the alliance has supported the Tánaiste.
Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has said the emails shed no new light.
He also said the Tanaiste wasn’t aware of the strategy to undermine Morris McCabe, despite being sent an email about an aggressive approach.
It’s aggressive questioning in a media query, it’s not a statement of fact and we’re prejudging the tribunal outcome on the basis of a question. It’s an aggressive question in a media query.
He said the Tanaiste was advised not to interfere, adding, “We either allow for the tribunal to do it’s work or we just don’t bother.”
Our political reporter Christina Finn spoke to Simon Harris on his way into Government Buildings this morning. He said it’s time for cool heads.
Health Minister Simon Harris said:
This country doesn’t need a General Election … it’s a day for cool heads, a day for calm reflection and we need to try and have a situation where government can continue with the very big jobs at hand.
The Taoiseach has now arrived for today’s Cabinet briefing and that meeting with the Independent Alliance.
Taoiseach arrives at Government Buildings for today's Cabinet meeting pic.twitter.com/0n4GZB60S5
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) November 28, 2017
Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley said he learned about the additional emails last night and that Fitzgerald’s position is now untenable.
He said her position that she wasn’t aware of the strategy “doesn’t hold water”.
He also said it has gone beyond the Tanaiste coming into the Dáil to answer questions.
What we need now is for the wise heads in Fine Gael to get together.
Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has now arrived at Government Buildings.
RTÉ has reported that Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton has said it’s very difficult for the Tanaiste to remain in office.
It’s understood that she is the first Fine Gael TD to break the ranks publicly.
Naughton’s opinion is at odds with the sentiment displayed by Simon Harris who said the Tánaiste should “certainly not” resign.
He said the controversy should be dealt with by the Disclosures Tribunal.
Greencore chief executive Patrick Coveney – the brother of Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney – has said he doesn’t think a general election before Christmas would be good for business.
He told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 that an election could weaken the Government’s ability to represent Ireland’s interests in relation to Brexit.
In today’s poll we’re asking, are you concerned about the British view of Ireland in Brexit negotiations?
So to recap – both Sinn Féin and the Labour Party are calling on Leo Varadkar to sack Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
Fianna Fáil says the only way to avoid an election is for the Tanaiste to accept political responsibility.
The Taoiseach is still standing behind Fitzgerald with Health Minister Simon Harris telling reporters this morning that the Tánaiste should “certainly not” resign.
However, Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton has publicly said it’s very difficult for Fitzgerald to remain in office.
The Independent Alliance is set to meet the Taoiseach ahead of this morning’s Cabinet meeting.
Up until now the alliance has supported the Tánaiste and it’s reported that a change in stance is not expected at this stage.
Canvassers sent out over the weekend say they have been warned ‘the door will be shut in their faces’ if there’s a Christmas election.
The countdown continues with just 10 hours now left for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to reach a deal to avoid a Christmas election.
The Fianna Fáil motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste is due to be tabled at 8pm tonight.
Arriving at Government Buildings, Transport Minister Shane Ross told reporters that the situation is “very grave” and Minister Finian McGrath said they were going to make their views known to the Taoiseach.
The members of the Independent Alliance wouldn’t say if they would be calling on the Tánaiste to resign.
Members of the Independent Alliance are now meeting with the Taoiseach. They spoke to reporters on the way into Government Buildings.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross said, “The situation is grave, we want to consult with our Independence Alliance colleagues.
We’re going to make our views known when we get in there, of course we’re against an election. We don’t want an election.
Minister of State Finian McGrath said, “The situation is very grave but we’ll be making our views known to the Taoiseach and the Cabinet this morning and that’s all we want to say for the moment.”
When asked if Frances Fitzgerald should resign, he said, “No comment”.
Members of the Independence Alliance Minister for Transport Shane Ross with Minister of State for Disability Finian McGrath talking to the media on their way into cabinet.
It’s reported that a meeting of the Cabinet has now begun and that a meeting of Fine Gael ministers that was scheduled for earlier this morning didn’t take place.
A senior source has told our political reporter that the Taoiseach told the Tanaiste to consider the issue overnight.
A photo of the pair in happier times launching the Paternity Leave Bill on Father’s Day, in Farmleigh House, Dublin.
Some sources are reporting that Fitzgerald has maintained that she will not be resigning and would need to be sacked, but this is just speculation at this stage.
Hugh O’Connell – formerly of this parish – has told Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 that a source has revealed to him that the Independent Alliance are not backing Fitzgerald.
Our political reporter Christina Finn says some members of the parliamentary party are “livid” with Varadkar and that they were sent out to defend the Tánaiste over the weekend.
Fine Gael TDs are not happy with how their leader has dealt with the situation.
It’s understood that Varadkar had read the thread of emails over the weekend, ahead of their release yesterday evening.
Christina Finn here from Leinster House.
Sources are stating that Tánaiste is to announce her resignation – but this has yet to be officially confirmed.
One minister has confirmed to TheJournal.ie that Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to resign. She made her intentions known at the Cabinet meeting this morning – which is now over.
Her resignation is expected to be announced in the Dáil later this afternoon.
Her resignation comes in the final hours, with the government on the brink of collapse. A motion of no confidence from Fianna Fáil was scheduled for 8pm.
This is now set to be withdrawn.
Now that the Tánaiste is to step aside, the focus is already shifting on to the current Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.
We’ll just leave this here:
Dara Calleary of Fianna Fáil has been speaking to RTÉ’s News at One. He’s described it as a “sad day” for the Tánaiste and that it’s not about “looking for scalps”.
Asked whether Charlie Flanagan, the current Justice Minister, has questions to answer on the email issue Calleary said that he did, and that he expected the Minister would answer those questions in the Dáil.
Fianna Fáil will not be submitting a motion of no confidence in Flanagan, he said.
Just to confirm – the Fianna Fáil motion of no confidence will not go ahead tonight in any form, nor will Sinn Féin’s tomorrow.
Here’s the full statement from Frances Fitzgerald:
Today I made the decision to tender my resignation to the Taoiseach, stepping-down with immediate effect as Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in Government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time.
Throughout my career I have always sought to act with integrity and responsibility, and that is why I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation. I have always believed in fairness and equality and these principles have guided my work as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, as Minister for Justice and Equality, and now as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
I would like to thank the Taoiseach for showing the same courage and determination to protect my good name that he displayed three years ago when he stood-up and defended the reputation of Maurice McCabe. What I admire most about the Taoiseach is that he has always believed in doing what was right – not what was popular or politically expedient. I will always be grateful for his confidence and support and for giving me the opportunity to serve in a Government that is making a real difference in people’s lives at a critical time in our history.
However, I decided that my continuation in office risks destabilising that good work, and so I have decided to step-down so that this work may continue and the country can be spared an unnecessary election. It will also allow me to vindicate my good name at the Charleton Tribunal, without causing any further distraction to the work of the Government. I have always believed in due process and I believe that in the current situation that is becoming increasingly difficult for me. I acted correctly in difficult circumstances and, in fact, did everything that I could to support the search for truth and protect whistleblowers.
I would like to thank all those who have worked with me over the years and I am so grateful for the incredible support I received from family, friends, supporters, staff, and my constituents in Dublin Mid-West. And I look forward to continuing to serve all the people of Dublin Mid-West.
I have no further comment to make.
The Green Party has welcomed Fitzgerald’s resignation – but leader Eamon Ryan thinks Charlie Flanagan should leave his Justice post.
“We welcome the resignation of the Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald. We said from the start that now wasn’t the time for an election, and we hope that this averts the prospect of an election before Christmas, with the country facing vital Brexit negotiations,” Ryan said in a statement.
“However, there are still serious questions to be answered here. When the Taoiseach is amending his cabinet to select a new Minister for Business, he should go further and ensure that the Department of Justice starts off in a new direction under a new Minister. This crisis was centred not just on what happened back in May 2015 but what the Department of Justice was doing in recent weeks. Minister Flanagan took the same approach as his predecessor in overseeing a Department which held back relevant information. He too should step aside.”
Green Party Chair Councillor Roderic O’Gorman added:
We want the role of the Department of Justice to be included in the work of the Charlton Tribunal as we suggested in an amendment last February this year which was voted down by both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. We also support the break-up of the Department with Home Affairs, and Security and Justice issues being separated to help create a new culture within the institution.
We’ll be live shortly with Leaders’ Questions…
Political reporter Christina Finn here now to take you through Leaders’ Questions.
The Dáil chamber is beginning to fill up now following a very eventful morning.
TDs around the corridors appear to be relieved that an election has been averted at the final hour. Many have been critical of Fitzgerald, stating that she could have controlled the situation more and left on her own time – while now it appears she was pushed.
The latest tweet from Fitzgerald:
The Taoiseach will now read a statement.
He says he has accepted Fitzgerald’s resignation with “regret” and has decided to take up her portfolio as Business, Enterprise and Innovation minister.
He says she was the most “reforming” Minister for Justice. He says in the last few days there has been a drip of information and there was a “feeding frenzy” where all the facts remained unclear.
He says she had no hand, act or part in the legal strategy. He says her knowledge of the information was limited. He says her good name will be vindicated by the tribunal.
Fitzgerald has been a pioneer in women’s rights, says the Taoiseach.
He says recent events have uncovered serious issues and systemic problems in the Department of Justice.
He says reforms will now be accelerated. A review of the culture will take place, as well as a review of the relationship between the department and the gardaí. He also wants to know why the department gave him misinformation and says Parliamentary Questions will be answered as fully and openly as possible.
Micheál Martin is up and he says there was a dismissive attitude to Dáil members who asked legitimate questions about what was being hidden.
The Taoiseach says he is “not happy at all” at how the last number of weeks have played out. He says arrangements are being made for the current Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to make a statement to the House and to “apologise for the failure of his department”.
He says Flanagan will also offer further assurances that questions from now on will be answered properly.
If the emails were out ten days ago, he says, Tánaiste would not have had to resign
“We didnt have to end up in the situation we are in today,” says the Taoiseach, pointing out that had questions been answered, this “sorry set of affairs” could have been avoided.
He said had questions been answered, the minister might not have had to step aside, something he said was her own decision.
He says Fianna Fáil acted in good faith over the weekend in their discussions. He says he regrets that it resulted in the resignation of a good woman.
He says the minister and her family have ended up on the front pages on the papers, something he says he did not want.
The Taoiseach says a hotline is to be set up if they are not happy with the answers they are getting from the department.
All past PQs relating to McCabe will be reviewed and new information put on record where needed.
“I am prepared to shine the brightest of lights in the darkest of places.”
Mary Lou McDonald says he put the interests of Fine Gael before the country and was the first test of his time as leader. She says he failed, dismally.
She said the department’s withholding of documents from the tribunal is a criminal offence.
How did he [Charlie Flanagan] allow that to happen, she asks.
The Taoiseach says McDonald misled the Dáil by stating that the emails were sent to members of the gardaí. He says for SF it is just about point scoring and getting ahead.
He says that is not how political parties should operate.
Varadkar says he wants the tribunal to be allowed to do its work. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of the tribunal.
He says he does not know why the emails were not provided to the tribunal when they should have been. He says the only reason they came to light is because he ordered a trawl of the department last week.
The Taoiseach says he never wants to be put in the position again where he is given the wrong information by a department. He assures the Dáil that he will be holding officials to account.
Varadkar is commissioning an external inquiry, to report before Christmas, on how latest emails were not sent to the Charleton Tribunal.
He says he wants to know what was behind that – though he says we may never find out.
Speaking about Flanagan, he says it is of deep regret that he didn’t see the document for another week – if he had, we might be in a different situation than we are in today.
Richard Boyd Barrett says there is now relief that the public won’t be asked to go to the polls in the run up to Christmas.
He criticises that he protected the minister right up to the last minute, even though he knew over the weekend that she had more information than had previously been stated,.
“This places never ceases to amaze me,” he says.
A sombre looking Charlie Flanagan this morning who has been heavily criticised by the Taoiseach in the Dáil today over the failure of his department.
Richard Boyd Barrett says he tried to get special Dáil time set aside today for further questions over the email scandal – but he says Fianna Fáil is in a “collusion of silence” to stop it.
He says it was arranged at the Business Committee earlier.
The Taoiseach says it is not the first time Boyd Barrett’s questions have been confused.
“I didn’t request that I did not do Leaders’ Questions today,” he adds.
I want to assure the deputy it will never be my intention to plunge this country into an unnecessary general election… I did everything I could this weekend,” he says.
“I did not seek it [Fitzgerald's resignation] – she did it of her own volition,” he adds. He says she did it for the good of the country.
Boyd Barrett says the government are trying to run away from answering questions about the scandal.
The people didn’t want an election inflicted on them over Christmas, but he says that is not an excuse not to answer the questions.
“The legitimacy of this government is shredded,” he proclaims.
The Taoiseach says Flanagan will be making a statement and he will answer questions.
“I was the one to order the trawl of documents as I had to come in here twice to correct the record,” he says, adding that it was he who put them into the public domain yesterday.
Had that happened a number of weeks ago by the department, “we wouldn’t be in this sorry situation” he adds.
I have no interest in kicking you or Frances Fitzgerald, says Mick Wallace.
The Independents 4 Change TD says listening to what is going on in Leinster House is “soul destroying”.
Since 2012, he says he has been trying to raise the issue of the the toxicity within the gardaí and the department of justice.
“Is there any appetite to do things differently,” he pleads.
“We no more represent the people in here,” says Wallace, in a defeated tone.
Where is the appetite for the truth, he asks.
“I am as totally dissatisfied as much as you are – you may not believe it,” the Taoiseach tells Wallace.
“This is not the way I want the parliament to operate,” he adds.
He says he does not want things to continue on the way they have been going the last few years, highlighting that it is he who spoke up for Maurice McCabe a number of years ago.
He says as a doctor, he knows that diagnosis is a a damn sight easier than surgery.
Identifying problems is one thing he says, but tackling it and solving the issue is another.
Here is the Taoiseach’s statement in full on the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald:
This morning, Frances Fitzgerald came to me to offer her resignation as Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. She is doing so to avoid an unnecessary and early General Election that could have left the country without a functioning government and Oireachtas for several months at a crucial time for Ireland.
Over the next few weeks and months, the government will need to focus on the Brexit negotiations, both phase one and phase two. We have a Finance Bill and Appropriations Bill to enact. Legislation to pass for public sector pay restoration and pension and social welfare increases. We also have the important work of the committee on the 8th amendment to complete paving the way for a referendum next year. All of these would fall in the event of a general election.
The work of the government and the parliament must not be interrupted during this important period. So, it is with deep regret that I have accepted her resignation.
It is my strong view that a good woman is leaving office without getting a full and fair hearing.
Frances has been an exemplary member of Government and a loyal colleague. She established the Department of Children and Tusla, changed the constitution twice to enshrine in it children’s rights and the right to marriage equality. She was one of the most reforming Ministers for Justice we have ever had setting up the Independent Policing Authority chaired by Josephine Feehily, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority and bringing in a raft of reforming legislation including the Sexual Offences Act. She always supported whistle-blowers, and enshrined a code of ethics in An Garda Síochána to protect them.
In the past few days a drip-drip of information may have made certain things seem greater than they are. There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts. I hope that will change in the period ahead.
While all of the facts still remain unclear, there are a few things that we do know. Frances had no hand act or part in the former Commissioner’s legal strategy, did not devise or guide it in any way. She was advised by her own officials that she had no function in the matter. The Attorney General has since confirmed this advice and further advised that she would have been acting improperly and inappropriately if she had sought to interfere with the work of the O’Higgins Commission.
We know from the e-mails, that Frances Fitzgerald had no knowledge of it until the Commission’s hearing were already underway and that her knowledge of the detail was limited.
I hope calm, measured reading of the evidence will show that the Tánaiste acted appropriately, and I hope the Charleton Tribunal will establish this conclusively in the weeks ahead, and that she will have her good name vindicated. I expect her to continue to play a full role in political and public life including at the highest level.
Throughout her career, the Tánaiste has been a champion of women’s rights, and equal rights, she has been a pioneer when it comes to supporting children, and fighting against all forms of inequality and injustice.
The events of the past few days have exposed major problems once again within a dysfunctional Department of Justice, including the way important emails were not found and therefore not sent on to the Charleton Tribunal during discovery. I am directing that there will be an external inquiry into that to report before Christmas. Systemic problems within the Department were identified in the Toland Report. Minister Fitzgerald began the process of implementing the Report, and this has continued under her successor Charlie Flanagan. These reforms will now be accelerated, and the government is planning radical action to restore public confidence in the Department of Justice.
An independent and change implementation group will be established to:
a) assess progress in implementing the recommendations of the Toland Report;
b) review the culture of the Department, make recommendations for change, particularly in the light of evidence of a continued siloed and secretive culture and a failure to provide accurate information to me and the Oireachtas;
c) examine in particular, the relationship between the Department and the Gardaí, to ensure that the relationship is appropriately structured, is understood in both organisations and operates in such a way as to ensure accountability and better performance;
d) draw on the expertise of the Policing Authority in conducting its work;
The Government will in the coming days provide further details on this. The Minister and Secretary General of the Department for Justice & Equality will ensure that all future PQs are replied to as fully and openly as possible, subject to Dáil Standing Orders and the law. All recent PQs asked by any Deputy relating to Maurice McCabe will be reviewed and it will be ensured that they have been answered as fully and openly as possible. Any additional relevant additional information will be provided to Deputies as quickly as possible.
These events have reminded us of some of the ways Maurice McCabe was undermined, when he shone a light in some very dark places. As Taoiseach I am determined to shine the brightest of lights into the darkest of places, so that we arrive at the truth and have true accountability.
I continue to believe that the Tánaiste acted throughout in a way that was appropriate. But these are matters that will now be investigated and adjudicated upon by a tribunal.
In the meantime, the Government will continue to work for the good of the country. We will focus on the challenge of Brexit, and deal with the many other problems we are facing. We will not be distracted as we strive to do what is in the best interests of all the people.
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We’ve gone long beyond farce now, Leo needs to pull on his Big Boy underpants to go with his fancy socks and remove the now completely undefendable Tanaiste. Either that or the rest of the FG lapdogs need to stand up and make the decision for him. If theres an election I expect them to be destroyed for backing a lying coward, and bringing a totally preventable vote on the country when theres so much work for them to get on with that has real effects on our lives.
@Mark Nolan: all politicians are corrupt undefendable liars – its laughable that you think the Tánaiste is special
@Mark Nolan:
Fitzgerald must have some serious dirt on leo to say he hasn’t fired her
@Shane Murphy: think you have it in one!!!
@Mark Nolan: It’ll be interesting to see if Leo throws Frances under the back wheels of the proverbial bus. That’ll will be just as bad for FG I think. Leo is now in a lose/lose position.
@jon-boy55: I can understand the blanket description you give to all politicians, and as much as we would like to believe that of them, its simply not true, no matter how bad the main players appear to be. Theres a lot who aren’t liars, just simply incompetent, but thats a discussion for another day. The Tanaiste isn’t special in that regard, shes just been shown that shes not capable of handling an issue and being up front when asked questions about it. And Leo ‘Socky’ Varadkar is somehow comfortable backing her, …..beyond belief
@Paddy: In a way, I would welcome the fact that he would have to sack her, cause I don’t think he has the socks to play in the big boys pen either. His own judgement has been appalling, and his neck in knowing what was in the papers over the weekend and still have the gumption to send out his troops to back their lying colleague is breathtaking. This has legs beyond the current crisis even if Fitzer actually does the amazing and resign this morning.
@Mark Nolan: Arrogance will never be a substitute for aptitude. Sadly arrogance is a common trait in the members of larger parties, aptitude less so.
Frances goes under the backs wheels, one way or the other I suspect.
Frances has been elevated by Leo above the interests of the FG party and way above the national interest.
The Taoiseach has proven himself to lead as Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach is a gleaming Rolls Royce body with a clapped out Morris Minor engine.
The Tapoiseach has proven himself unfit to lead as Taoiseach. The Emperor has been accidentally revealed by the Taoiseach as having no clothes.
@Mark Nolan:
Have to agree. The longer this drags out the more damage Leo is doing to himself. He needs to just sack her
Varadkar is now the victim of events and no longer the driver of events.
Varadkar needs to stop the car, put the Tanaiste out, and see if he can review some momentum but my assessment is that yesterday it was the Tanaiste who was fatally injured and today the Taoiseach is fatally natured.
It is now abundantly clear that the Taoiseach is not up to the challenge of leadership. He does not have the right stuff.
The word is that after an impassionate and highly emotionally charged address by the Tanaiste, she has been asked to resign.
Losing 2 Ministers for Justice is pure unmitigated incompetence.
@jon-boy55: Spot on with your comment.
And now folks, it’s the “Bad Taoiseach Show”!
@Declan Hegarty: that 5 million on the Spin Department is starting to look a bad deal ……
The Journal.ie liveblog coverage has been outstanding.
Let’s keep the cover-up going!
@wyer2wyer: Exactly. And where’s Enda during all of this?
@wyer2wyer: why has Charlie Flanigans department of ‘justice’ been sitting on those e-mails and paper trail since the ‘ discovery tribunal’ was set up in Febuary. Discovery hindered by department which set up tribunal.
How can people have confidence in any future ‘ can kicking’ inquiries or tribunals when this is how they are treated by government ministers????
The arrogance of Fitzgerald, Vardakar etc is astounding. This could have all been avoided. They knew all along but let it get dragged out to this point. But still don’t won’t have the bottle to sack her or for her to resign.
The only explanation I can think of is that Leo and the top brass in FG want an election. Well he could’ve dissolved the govt on Friday, blamed FF and probably had a good chance of increasing the number of his seats. Well it looks to have backfired now. He’s annoyed a lot of his backbenchers, and looks weaker in the eyes of the electorate. An absolute Omnishambles of irish proportions.
@Darragh O’Connell: could it be that more are implicated in this than Francis and that they are trying to contain the fallout?
@Darragh O’Connell: varadkar is damaged by this serious lack of judgement and the fact there were more secret emails that were not furnished to the tribunal at Dublin Castle. He has to go now.
@Darragh O’Connell: or is MM worried about vote loss when Mary Lou takes the reins. Like all new leaders she would get a bounce. The media seems to have turned against LV in last 24 hours. Maybe MM will get his wish to be Taoiseach. Interesting day ahead.
@Etherman: well, Charlie Flanagan could have questions to answer. But it looks to me like Leo actually wants an election. He should learn a lesson from what happened Theresa May and the conservatives. Either way, I think an election is inevitable either now or early in the new year. Fitzgerald is too arrogant to resign or to put the needs of the country first.
The pressure should be on Leo to sack her rather than her to resign
@Nick Allen: You have to ask yourself. what do the ministers do? they don’t seem to know anything. so what use are they to us.
This is going to end like a dud firework. Clear based on the amount Varadkar and Martin buddies are chatting they want to avoid an election. This involves one of three relevant parties falling on their sword. “Hello Francis, let’s have a chat about what you think the right thing to do is. And by the way here’s a new Brown Thomas scarf”. Game over.
@Toon Army: bingo
If I’m any judge this Fitzgerald woman looks out of her depth as a minister,certainly a justice one,and has done since her appt
@Jaydee: that’s gender quotas !
@Jaydee: the Tanaiste has done us one big favour. She has revealed that Varadkar is the Taoiseach with no clothes, all spin and no substance.
@ Fiona: Been saying it since day one, all hat no cattle.
@the Risen, I have not heard of that expression “All hat no cattle” for a long time. It captures the emptiness of the Taoiseach.
Fiona / Risen: I don’t understand why you need to use the Journal to comment. Are ye not in the one room?
@ Bull Spitting Spite , so you would like to think.
What nobody seems to be asking is
How much did the Taoiseach know?
@Damien Walshe: very good and pertinent question.
@Damien Walshe: I think that might be deliberate… If she goes Leo will have no choice but to follow her if/when it turns out he was involved…
Power at all costs even if the whole nation wants her gone.
Incredibly weak leadership on display this morning from both FF and FG. I can’t think of another first world country where she would still be deputy leader of the state.
@The Risen:
I tend to agree with Leo showing the weaker leadership, he should have just sacked her but by supporting her he is making his own position untenable
@The Risen: It’s his strong leadership against FF/SF that is ruffling Fake Media feathers. Fitzgerald has had to turn to Twitter to get the truth past the media spinners, bravo. The execution of the innocent weeks before the case is heard is gathering a predictable crowd.
Varadkar the Vacillator is making his own political rope to hang himself with.
It’s very early for a political career so implode.
I continue to hear in the media and from politicians “nobody wants an election at Xmas”.
Can I infer from this that if all this was happening at some other time of the year, it would be ok then.
It is quite insulting to the Irish people to suggest that they would prefer maintain a lame government propped up by an opposition who ultimately will decide when the election is.
from an Irish context “you can do whatever you like as long as it doesn’t interfere with Xmas”.
An election is precisely what Ireland needs and the sooner it happens the better.
We have a Taoiseach who was not elected to this role by the Irish people. You have a government paralysed by the need to appease the opposition who holds a gun to its head.
Brexit will be negotiated better when this is sorted asap.
@Damien Walshe: the people never elect the Taoiseach. Surely you know that?
We need a majority government badly with Brexit, homeliness etc. SF will loose out on their tactic to leave us with no government as they have done in the north of Ireland.
@Tom Newnewman: yes Tom
It’s SF fault that Francis told so many fibs… grow up.
@Tom Newnewman: Sinn Fein are fully and willing to play a part in a government after an election but Francis Fitzgerald position is untenable. She is a liar who told unthruths in the Dail in 2016. This mess is entirely the making of FG and thier rank arrogance to think it can be let go on.
@Ian Kavanagh: Varadkar was joining in on blaiming SF. all the money he spends on spin is not paying off.
@Ian Kavanagh: Fitzgerald has well answered those accusations on Twitter. Check it out.
@Tom Newnewman: Even beyond the contents of the emails the fact they were witheld from the Tribunal is extremely important. Flanagan must go also.
@Brendan Luke Ferron: Because Fitzgerald did the right thing and respected due process she is being asked to resign. These matters are being examined in minute detail and resigning in effect be disregarding due process.
@Tom Newnewman: At least tell us you’re getting a cut of the €5mil Tom? We could understand you then.
@Tom Newnewman: we need a competent, informed government, one that jails the criminal bankers, radically reforms the administration of justice, dismantled the white collar criminal protection racket, tackles outrageously high building costs, rejects CETA, takes on HSE vested interests, builds houses and immediately deals with homeless crisis. Fine Gael has had almost 7 years and achieved just about nothing apart from lots of zero hour contracts and minimum wage jobs / jobbridge.
@Tom Newnewman: so it is SF’s fault that Frances Fitzgerald is a corrupt liar?
@Colin Morris: SF should support FG against FF’s effort to bring about an election based on a premature judgment about the correct handling of this issue. Fitzgerald has been the most active in trying to get to the truth re. the handling of the whistle blowers.
@Tom Newnewman: Fitzgerald has NOT answered the truth of the position on Twitter. She says that she will explain her position to the Disclosures Tribunal.
@Tom Newnewman: It takes some imagination to blame this on Sinn Fein.
The FG flunkies are all a dither this morning. They have been caught out in a dirty tricks campaign against Sgt. McCabe.
@Fiona deFreyne: also, note the hypocrisy of FF who don’t have a great record on supporting whistleblowers
Ho Ho Ho,,, Merry Christmas ireland…
@gordon larney: Follow Francis Fitzgerald on Twitter to get the truth about this issue.
@Tom Newmanman, you posted that comment already under tet.ie.
@Tom Newnewman: Absolutely pathetic.
@Tom Newnewman: here is the truth, Frances Fitzgerald is up to her neck in corruption, certainly what is termed “legal corruption”. She has been caught. There are many others. To clean up our country, we need a serious culture shift. Shatter – Callinan – O’Sullivan – Fitzgerald and believe me we haven’t made a start on tackling white collar crime.
@Fiona deFreyne: It’s well worth repeating.
@Tom Newnewman: Ok then… Absolutely pathetic!
@gordon larney: Frances Fitzgerald is a liar.
@gordon larney: oh my God, please STOP!!!
Even if Fitzgerald resigns, this Government is badly damaged and Leo is looking like a fool for showing weak leadership for continuing to support her and causing an election. Simon Coveney on Clare Byrne last night showed that his and the Fine Gael’s narrative has changed from: 1. She never read the e-mail. 2. Even if she read the e-mail she couldn’t have done anything on legal advice. 3. She now shouldn’t resign until she gives her evidence at the Charleton tribunal. At this point, we have many questions which need serious answers: Where is Charlie Flanagan and what else does he know on this saga and why did he hide knowledge of the May 2015 e-mail from Leo for a number of days? Why and more importantly were these e-mails not sent to the Charleton tribunal – keeping them hidden suggests a conspiracy between the DOJ, the Minister and Garda HQ? Why did Fianna Fáil continue to support Norin O’Sullivan after her legal strategy on McCabe was made public? Why was the Toland report allowed to gather dust? It’s obvious the DOJ needs strong reform as Toland pointed out, so for once TD’s in power need to start implementing reform now, take charge of their departments, civil servants and show open and transparent leadership because our trust in you is damaged and remains weak.
@James Shortt: an excellent assessment and summary
I for one want an election now as Leo is not fit to continue as leader of this country
I under stand loyalty but he has gone to far to protect Fitzgerald and put her over the country.
The big question is what is Fitzgerald holding over Leo and has he lied to the dail and the irish people for the last week about what he knew?
If Frances doesn’t go or Leo doesn’t fire her then it shows complete arrogance or incompetence or both. If there’s an election I don’t want to take part but feel i can’t be complaining about it or the parties if I’m not prepared to vote. Only option left for me would be to vote greens. Vowed never again to vote FF after they nearly bankrupted the country. FG have made a balls of trying to fix the housing crisis and after this current debacle i couldn’t vote for them. Don’t trust SF or the likes of the PPP. So Greens it is, at least the have the planet’s welfare at heart. As for canvassers i feel sorry for them if there’s an election!
@Keith Healy:
I agree that by a process of elimination the parties and all positioning themselves so that w can’t vote for them. The problem is that we need to vote for someone and put a government in power which is probably why FG / FF will be returned as the majority. Voting in Ireland is like been asked if you want to be stabbed or shot, neither option is preferable
It’s all a game. They’re going to come out at the last minute claiming that they have a plan to save the country from the abyss and try to hang sf for threatening stability. Frances will keep her job and we’ll all forget about it
@Anne Marie Devlin:
I think (hope) we have moved past that stage in the game and Francis will go.
@Anne Marie Devlin: correct
at this stage no one can trust fg as it is more turning into a boys club who no matter what they do will never be wrong in their leaders eyes biggest issue is who can really solve the issues in this country
This has turned into the Irish version of Watergate….with all the collusion and paddy wackery we have all come to expect from this current government. This has gone beyond asking for mere resignations. Fitzgerald and Varadker, along with anyone else who has supported the rotten behaviour that perpetuated this tragedy, need to be removed. Someone needs to remind all those in FG who have supported this farce that the coverup often ends up being worse than the crime. They have added insult to injury not just to Maurice McCabe and his family…but to the entire country. They have undermined our ability to believe in equal justice for all….the cornerstone of a civilised society. This is an insult to our collective intelligence and confidence. Someone in government please have the guts to do the right thing, and demand their removal.
Can FG and FF not see the unique position we are in regarding Brexit and push us to a General election of uncertainty. We have leverage over Britain for the first time in history. If we squander this opportunity we will regret it for decades to come.
I’ve seen it suggested that Leo will be taking the Superman option tonight. But surely, given the gravitas of the situation, the Paw Patrol socks would be much more suitable?
What the last few days has shown how FG over the weekend stayed on message albeit on half the facts. Surely a person with this political clout in her own party can see the games is up???
It is looking worse and worse for Leo now. Is he incompetent? Has Fitzgerald got dirt on him or is he involved somehow? So much for the gigantic PR team, if they can’t see the damage being done by now then they’re not worth all that tax payer money.
How can we take these gombeen politicians seriously when at some point in the day, they’ll likely be retreating to their dail bar for some beverages, chatter and to cheer themselves on in the national news. Also after months of negotiations last year and seeing them going into meetings with bulky folders under arms, they end up with a five page confidence and supply agreement. The introduction of most professionals legal agreements would be longer. They probably spend more time in these negotiations meetings twiddling thumbs and discussing the weather.
This entire debacle conclusively proves that the Executive is not properly answerable to the legislature in Ireland.
There is a cancer among us. The lengths that those in any position of power, from the top down, have gone to in order to instigate and perpetuate, and then try to cover up, the smear campaign against Maurice McCabe, illustrates just how deep this malignancy goes. Anyone who thinks that what happened to Maurice McCabe can’t happen to them, is being naive. This cancer needs to be cut out…from the top, down.
The Taoiseach now stands exposed for who and what he truly us and it is certainly not as a political leader.
Is it correct that Leo was a protege of Frances Fitzgerald and that she groomed him for the Taoiseach role? Is this the reason why Leo has put support for Frances ahead of Party and the national interest?
The utter cheek of her to say the government protected the good name of Maurice Mc Cabe when the highest in the land sought his total destruction.
Unbelievable
@Kevin Slater: political speak is the opposite of the truth.
Despite what the polls and politicians tell us, people will feel they have been cheated out of a chance to show this minority government that they have no confidence in it at all.
We need an election.
A government that thinks nothing of telling barefaced lies in Dail Eireann, is not a government that people can ever trust. To many lies about this and other important issues, to many scandals, to much naked corruption.
People need a government that works for them. Not the elite, not the bankers, not the vulture funds.
Why didn’t she do this in the first place ! Does she not realize what this has done to the country and the credibility of the government .
As for Maurice Mc Cabe he deserves millions in compensation for what they put this man and his family through
Time michael martin pulls the plug on this circus
Leo varadkar definitely promoted above his abilities at this point.
@ed w: Leo is like a pole turtle that you would see on a drive to Wexford . You wonder how he got there but u know he did not get there on his own
With friends like FG, Sergeant McCabe needed not enemies.
In a similar situation in Britain, the Deputy PM would have been unceremoniously bounced out the door and with zero prevarication or proscrastination.
The Tanaiste has held the entire political system hostage to her own selfish wishes.
Frances backs commissioner
Leo backs Frances
Micheál backs Leo
And we will back them all
So what’s the fuss about
Varadkar the Vacillator.
Darth Varadker
@Kevin Slater, much better!
The FG TDs who are questioning Varadkar’s judgement should reflect on the fact that it was their judgement that made him leader against the wishes of the party members.
It woulkd be interesting to have a poll
1. How many support FG with Frances Fitzgerald as Tanaiste?
2. How many support FG without Frances Fitzgerald as Tanaiste?
@Fiona deFreyne: How many support FG with or without Frances Fitzgerald as Tanaiste?
@ James Short , potentially less that before this debacle exploded and as summarized excellently by you in a detalied comment above.
My interests is in knowing if FG supporters are all lemmings who will support the Tanaiste to the bitter end or if some of them have the critical faculties to realise the the true gravity of the Tanaiste’s misconduct and dishonorable conduct whilst Minister for Justice.
Great another tribunal waste of taxpayers money fire her and get over it
Tanaiste exposes weak Taoiseach.
Despite the calibre of and the immense dedication of Mr Justice Peter Charleton, the Disclosures Tribunal is a “dead duck” because of existing and continuing disclosure failures by the DJE and AGS.
Word is that the Tanaiste has just resigned. It is not clear if she has resigned as Tanaiste and Minister.
Flanagan must go as well, he had same information as Fitzgerald.
A GE now is unlikely to change the number of seats much. Of course, with the current make-up, there could still be a change of Government. I don’t see clear benefits to FF or SF here and large possible downsides. Looks like a big gamble with lots to lose rather than win.
Varadkar and Fitzgerald were bust assuring the media and Sergeant Mccabe of their support for Sergenat McCabe, knowing full well that the AGS and its lead legal attract dog, Colm Smyth SC, were out to gut Sergeant McCabe.
Put not your trust in FG politicians.
Independent Alliance has refused to say what way it is blowing. This suggests that the Independent Alliance can be bought off.
I am not letting the heat out opening the door to these guys
Who in their right mind votes for Fine Gael or Fianna Fail both exactly the same no difference rotten to the core
@Jonny: only about 80% of the people
The further this goes the worse it gets in any other job she would be sacked long ago.The question now is has she got something on Leo that he wont sack her .With more revelations last evening she has to go .
How many staunch FG supporters will vote for Frances Fitzgerald in her own constituency?
The damage is done Leo. Even when she resigns, the electorate knows you are a spineless leader.
@Steve Austin: he was willing to face a general election on the back of all this even though he publicly backed Maurice McCabe at the time the garda commissioner brought up the horrible allegations against him and questioned his motives for whistleblowing. spineless isn’t the word for him. not suitable to hold office as Taoisach!
This is the entire country at risk from one person. What is more important the individual or the community. Move on girl do the honourable thing. If you are innocent let the country apologise to you in January.
‘Independent Alliance’ lol … more like ‘Which way the wind is blowing Alliance’ …
Just sack her and then we can move on and start thinking about Christmas.
Since when did FF become so interested in political accountability ? Since when did SF become interested in any accountability ?
Frances was elevated to Justice Ministry following the Alan Shatter debacle of 2014, because she was deemed a safe pair of hands.
Well, by her not rocking any boat’s at DOJ, Ireland is now in another fine mess, and in the eyes of the world…a laughing stock, given the ridiculous political ducking and diving of past week.
Yesmen / yespersons have no place in a National Government. Ministers should be independent and not afraid to assert themselves on reforms where needed within Government Departments.
Alan Shatter had that mindset but got the shaft for his impudence at DOJ.
Varadkar won’t last much longer. He knew about the additional emails since Friday but was publicly supporting Fitzgerald until last night instead of dealing with this corruption and incompetence quickly and focusing the Dáil on Brexit negotiations he put FG first. Charlie Flanagan has questions to answer too- looks like he knew as much as Fitzgerald and still did nothing to stop the smears.
FF are just as bad, milking this for all its worth, while being complicit in every bad decision this government has made. They only stepped back because a Christmas general election would be bad for them.
We need immediate reform of the Garda and of the DoJ. What agents of the State did to Maurice McCabe is unconscionable.
At least supply and confidence seems to be over. Just one more nudge and this sham of a government falls sometime in the New Year. Varadkar has shown his weakness.
The sooner the civil war parties of FG and FF are out of power, the better for Ireland. They’re both mired in corruption and enriching themselves. Time for change.
Oh just sack her already.
Everyone knows she’s finished.
This charade is annoying.
The most prophetic, the most insightful, the deepest thought out comment of the day comes from the invisible Minister, Mr. Shane Ross who announced to the world that “THE SITUATION IS GRAVE”. One has to be in awe of the man. He is my guru! Hahahahahahaha!
@John Campbell: and Finian McGrath, added “very grave”. The lads take themselves very seriously need.
Sad she nearly took the country to a general election thinking of herself
So she has resigned!
Was there ever any doubt that this would happen.
I somehow think this is not the last of it.
Why did the Taoiseach go to the brink with this?
His credibility and authority has to be in question now.
This government will last no longer than into the spring, so how is it in any ones interest not to have dealt with this issue now and go to the country for a mandate not only on this issue but on how Brexit is managed.
So the game of poker is over for now, a game in which in all likelihood all parties were bluffing,
Politics don’t you just love it.
The Independent Alliance are more loyal to the Tanaiste than some in FG are.
Independents in support of the Tanaiste!
Simon Coveney had a real chance at power yesterday evening but he choose to support a lame duck Taoiseach and to got to bat for the Tanaiste.
She has to go………END of.
@Fran Byrne: looks like she is just gone.
@Fran Byrne: ohh dont tease.
Personally I have now lost faith in all parties. They are like spoilt children wanting everything for themselves.
I find it disconcerting that Simon Coveney could attempt to rationalise the government’s s stance on Francis Fitzgerald’ position. This same man is going to protect our interests in the Brexit?…. Good luck. Playing hard ball with the British while at the same time taking down our own government. Oh how Boris must be laughing.
The gov ministers, they’re “big” people arriving into dail eireann in their big black cars, but they can’t manage peanuts, they’ve turned the political system into a farce. They’re a joke.
This sick and sorry debacle is less about Fitzgerald than about a patently inadequate Taoiseach who is not up to the challenges of the role.
Bad Tanaiste; worse Taoiseach.
So Francis has resigned, a fabricated “argument between FF and FG.
Both yellow, both cowards.
This whole farce makes leo look like a right mammy’s boy with Fitzgerald being the mammy. He is willing to destroy government for the sake of a minister who is not fit to be in the position she is in. Whoever suggested to leo to call a general election over one minister needs sacking, (it was probably his mammy)
The major concern is whether the DJE makes anywhere near full disclosure to the Disclosures Tribunal.
It is a major worry that these critical and centrally relevant emails have emerged so late in the process.
Terrible Taoiseach loses tricky Tanaiste.
It was always going to happen. Show Leo is a poor Toaiseach and a leader. Leaders need to make tough decisions. He is incapable of making decisions.
It make you wonder what other documents were hidden away over the years when it came to tribunals, commissions of inquiries…the dice was surely loaded.
@joe oneill: that’s a very important and significant question.
The soon to be former Tanaiste needs to starts preparing for her outing in the Disclosures Tribunal.
The DJE needs to start explaining the withholding of emails from the Disclosure Tribunal.
The apparent obstructing and hindering of the Disclosures Tribunal needs to be fully investigated.
Minister Flanagan needs to provide a full and detailed stratement on all relevant matters concerning cooperation and lack of cooperation with the Disclosures Tribunal.
Get lost.
Rightly so that Doherty, Donohoe all out say they stood behind her. Thinks anything for power. What about Ross an his merry men an woman
Surely after that statement and standing by her the Taoiseach’s position is untenable. If this was an Enda Kenny led FG, she was under the bus way before now. To forget 1 email is understandable but 3 is inexcusable.
About time, she has resigned
Varadkar the Vacilliator is doing his very best to commit political suicide.
His advisors should be doing better to rescue him from his own dire folly.
What is ICM
Cry me a river, Leo.
You lack dignity, principle and strength.
So much slime here
Varadkar
Fitzgerald
Coveney all rats
Shes just a fool of a politician,without an ounce of credibility,poncing around the Dail trying to exude a non-existent competence and confidence.Not the only one of course.Most are back sliding,venal yes men doling out cliche ridden claptrap that they think serves as deep political insight on a variety of issues.
Confidence and Suppofrt now limping very badly.
FG are now a lame duck government after they have been caught out here. We need an election in the new year and rid ourselves of all this corruption and spin.
She’s already gone. This is about her holding out for her next big job in Europe with Fianna Fails backing. She’s holding the threat of an election over them to get what she wants.
Varadkar is hoisting himself with his own petard.
This is why women are not suited to politics.
@tom McCormack: so what you are saying effectively is that the men presently supporting Frances Fitzgerald are better suited to politics?
@tom McCormack: Varadkar is not a woman.
It’s official…Dáil Éireann has changed it’s name to the Theatre of the Absurd.
A bad circus with an atrociously incompetent ringmaster.
Varadkar the Unready
Leo -follow Francis
“In the meantime, the Government will continue to work for the good of the country.”
HA
Fitzgerald would have been gone long ago had there been full and timely cooperation with the Disclosures Tribunal.
She should have done it a week ago.
Bring back Kenny all is forgiven and boot the fool that is leading this country out
It seems politicians want all the standards of a criminal trial to remove one of their own but without any of the sanctions… Can you imagine if any other employer was held to such standards…
Shane Ross and Fijian McGrath ability to meet the Taoiseach.
The absurd becomes even more ridiculous.
Fine Gael are like Hillary Clinton. I really hate the idea of them being in power but I hate everyone else even more.
Fitzgerald resigned, made my day! A totally devious, shady, lying amadan, should have gone when The dodgy commissioner left.
It says more about Varadcar’s leadership backing such a no hoper, shows how pathetic he really is. Sock Boy is a disgrace, there are no real leaders left in the basket case republic
Thank fck for that.
” we have had a week! ” said mary Lou , before we got the ” let’s just be clear ” then she forgot the biggest event in Sinn Fein’s week, the big welcome home party , they threw for the IRA murderer of a young innocent civilian girl in Germany, for which he served 4 days and came home to a heroes welcome from his party. Yes Mary Lou, we have had a week, and you again showed you can throw a party for killers like no one else . Strange she forgot that !
About time!
I find it frightening that the media are the justice system in this country. Due process should be allowed to take place.
Clare Daly’s an Ape!
@Seamus Balfe: she supported Sergeant McCabe when no one else did or would.
Not good enough, this circus is getting stale and moldy…… stinks to high heaven
Time for an election to sort out who is running the country looks like ff …will get in again
Has Varadkar actually lost the plot?
We all know that politicians don’t read their own e mails maybe now they will as for that queen of Sinn Fein she is an absolute disgrace she has the greasy hair and big ear rings and needs to clean up her act Sinn Fein have destroyed democracy in the north and are now trying to do the same in the republic
Let’s have the election form a stable government get rid of the hangers on the independent all.must be shaking in there boots as hopefully we won’t have to rely on then next time
Irish media last few years : we need gender quotas, its so progressive
Result – female Garda Commissioner and Tanaiste acted just like their male counterparts
SF army council now runs FF
@EC P Ford: stop sulking Leo!
have your say