TDs are this evening debating an opposition motion of censure against independent TD Mr Thomas Gildea after the Donegal deputy declined to seek time to make a personal statement to the Dáil on the matter.
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Independent TD Mr Thomas Gildea likely to face a motion of censure in the Dail this evening
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Earlier Government chief whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, tried to persuade Mr Gildea to make a personal statement to the Dáil stating that he accepts there is no basis for the allegations which he made against the former Fine Gael minister for justice, Mrs Nora Owen, last week.
The Opposition parties had insisted Mr Gildea make a personal statement to the Dáil apologising for what they described as "unfounded" allegations he made against Mrs Nora Owen, last Wednesday.
The motion was moved during the Labour Party's Private Member's Time tonight and is expected to be signed by deputies from the three main Opposition parties. A full three-hour debate on the issue will take place, then TDs will vote on the motion tomorrow night.
The Government is unwilling to back the Opposition’s motion and will instead table an amendment noting Mr Gildea's apology. However, commentators are suggesting that they will not support the motion because Mr Gildea is one four independents who support the Government in the Dáil.