Taoiseach Simon Harris voiced his assertion that Sinn Féin misled the Dáil as well as the Irish populace, during his trip to Brussels. Harris also insisted that the current issues the Sinn Féin party is confronting will not interfere with his decision-making on the scheduling of a forthcoming general election.
Sinn Féin, led by Mary Lou McDonald, is under considerable scrutiny relating to the management of a grave allegation concerning ex-TD Brian Stanley, and a commendation bestowed on the departing senator, Niall Ó Donnghaile last year. New information came to light on Tuesday that Ó Donnghaile resigned following inappropriate texting to a 17-year-old male member of the party. The party member had asked Sinn Féin to halt the contact, thereby initiating a formal party process.
Harris acknowledged McDonald for finally addressing various elements of the contentious issues in the Dáil on Tuesday. He noted that not only government members but also leaders of the Social Democrats, the Labour Party and others were perturbed by what they learnt, stating that further clarity and answers were needed.
The Taoiseach declared it evident that both the Oireachtas and the Irish people had been deceived, with renewed criticism levelled at Sinn Féin amid allegations that it potentially deceived the Oireachtas with its tribute to Ó Donnghaile.
Harris suggested that how McDonald and the Irish society respond to these issues is a matter for their contemplation. He concluded that the general election would undoubtedly be on the agenda soon, but the current issue with Sinn Féin will not be a determining factor for its scheduling.
“We declared our budget just a few weeks ago, but many of its elements are still awaiting legal implementation,” he announced, continuing, “I always made clear I wouldn’t catch my Coalition associates off guard. This Government is functioning effectively, and I desire a good completion to its term,” he expressed. Mr Harris’s comments were made in Brussels, where he is participating in an EU and Gulf state leaders’ assembly.
Mr Stanley had earlier in the day accused Ms McDonald of misusing Dáil privilege with an ulterior motive “to divert attention” from her own party on Wednesday.
She stated in Dáil on Tuesday that the woman who had initially lodged a complaint about the Laois-Offaly TD had been left “distressed”. Subsequently, she indicated that Mr Stanley must “answer” for his “actions” and highlighted the graveness of the complaint.
Mr Stanley responded in a statement, where he suggested that Ms McDonald was working to distract people “from the practices within her own party related to a ‘grievance’ against me, the details of which I deny.”
He continued, “Following days of incorrect allegations and implications from Sinn Féin, coupled with deliberately timed briefings aimed at tarring my name and diverting attention from their own party, all while a Garda investigation that I prompted is still underway.”
He also highlighted discrepancies in the Dáil, saying, “What her statement made evident is the current double standards within Sinn Féin.
In order to eliminate any confusion, let me reiterate: The grievance against me, initially filed on July 26th and deemed non-criminal, was not acknowledged by Sinn Féin until a week later, contradicting their claims.” Sinn Féin, however, claimed that the official complaint was lodged on August 2nd.
“I was kept uninformed about the existence of a complaint intentionally and the complaint was only officially confirmed to me on July 31st, following a request from my lawyer to Sinn Féin,” added Mr Stanley, before welcoming the involvement of An Garda Síochána in the matter.
Pearse Doherty, the representative for financial matters from Sinn Féin, disclosed in a interview with RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that he admits the complete details surrounding the exit of Mr Ó Donnghaile from the party were not briefed to the Dáil. He went on to underline understanding among the public about why full disclosure was avoided. It was highlighted by Mr Doherty how Niall Ó Donnghaile underwent the full scrutiny of the party, even losing his position before being turned over to the PSNI and social services for a criminal analysis.
Mr Doherty vehemently dismissed any likening of the public commendation provided to Mr Ó Donnghaile and that offered by Sinn Féin press officials for Michael McMonagle, a recent convict of child sex crimes as, ‘outrageously inappropriate.’
On Wednesday, Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, took a dig at Sinn Féin’s ‘culture of concealment’ and pointed out serious foundational problems with the party’s governance. The Fianna Fáil TD expressed to Newstalk Breakfast his view that Sinn Féin prioritises the party’s interests over that of the people, casting serious doubt on Ms McDonald’s leadership.