McDonald says she does not regret decision to stage sit-in

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald has said she does not regret her decision to stage a sit-in in the Dáil chamber which led to her being suspended until tomorrow.

Ms McDonald this afternoon confirmed she would not attempt to force her way into the Chamber today. She denied having staged a stunt and re-iterated her criticism of Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett.

“I regard the Ceann Comhairle not to be even-handed,” she said.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Ms McDonald said there was dissatisfaction with the Ceann Comhairle “not just among Sinn Féin members but more generally among deputies on the Opposition benches”.

However, she said they could speak for themselves.

Asked if she condemned the behaviour of some anti-water charges protesters in Jobstown and Sligo, Ms McDonald said all protests “must be peaceful”.

Those who could not behave in a peaceful way should stay away, she added.

“I think it is very unfair on the basis of the actions of one or two people to paint everybody in this way.”

She insisted the protests had been characterised by determination and respect, rather than violence.

“To the small number of people out there who might be minded to cause trouble...if you cannot be peaceful, stay away.”

Ms McDonald had refused to take her seat after an exchange on water charges with Tánaiste Joan Burton during Leaders’ Questions last Thursday.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett has stressed the House had voted to suspend Ms McDonald. The Leinster House ushers’ job is to keep order in the Oireachtas.

A statement from the Oireachtas yesterday said Ms McDonald had been suspended following a vote in the Dáil.

“The Ceann Comhairle is charged with implementing the rules of the House as drawn up by the House,” the statement said. “He does not make the rules. The role and job of a ceann comhairle is to interpret and apply the rules of the House in accordance with standing orders, the rules made by the members themselves.

“Since taking office, the Ceann Comhairle has advocated on several occasions that it is a fundamental right of all democratically elected members to speak in the House and he is extremely mindful of his obligation to uphold the rights and privileges of all members in accordance with the Constitution and the standing orders of Dáil Éireann. That’s what he was trying to do in the chamber last Thursday when forced to suspend.”

At the weekend, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams called the Ceann Comhairle "unfair and petulant" and repeated he had no confidence in him.

However, the Oireachtas said any complaints or unhappiness with the rules should be taken to the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges: “They should know that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is the forum where the rules can be discussed for change and all whips, including the Sinn Féin whip, are members of that committee.”

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar yesterday dismissed last week's stand-off and sit-in as "antics" which prevented legislation being debated.