Sinn Féin seeks Barrett meeting over McDonald suspension

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party is seeking a meeting with Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett following her suspension from the Dáil chamber last week.

Ms McDonald, who is suspended until tomorrow, did not attempt to enter the chamber today but re-iterated her criticism of Mr Barrett when speaking to the media on the Dáil plinth this afternoon.

“I personally have no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle. I don’t believe that he carries out his duties in a way that is fair and impartial...I know that many people on the Opposition benches, not just within Sinn Féin, would have concerns,” she said.

"Gerry Adams has written to the Ceann Comhairle seeking a meeting. It's our hope we can have a constructive discussion with him to put some of our concerns on the table and to see if we might make some progress in that regard."

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

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett intervened and the House voted to suspend Ms McDonald.

Howeverm she refused to leave and staged a sit-in that led to the suspension of Dail business for the remainder of the day.

Asked this afternoon if her move was a stunt to distract attention from the Maíria Cahill controversy, Ms McDonald insisted it was “nothing of the sort”.

Ms McDonald said putting down a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle “remains an option” for Sinn Féin.

“I suppose matters have come to a head and I genuinely hope the Ceann Comhairle will be amenable to a conversation and to resolving this issue.”

She said it was in everybody’s interests for the business of the House to be carried out in an orderly way.

However, she referred back to Budget night when she said Mr Barrett made a “completely unnecessary intervention” at the conclusion of her speech.

“On that occasion I queried him on that matter and I was sent out of the chamber. On that occasion I left and I took a decision in my own mind that were those circumstances to arise again that I would challenge him and I would challenge him fully on it.”