Taoiseach Demands Sinn Fein Provide Details On Brian Stanley Resignation

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 06:49

Sinn Fein are still trying to handle the fallout of the numerous controversies.

The Taoiseach is calling on the Sinn Fein leader to use the Dáil today to lay 'everything' out on the table about Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley's resignation from the party.

Members of the Public Accounts Committee say they will not co-operate with a new Sinn Féin Chair until party controversies are addressed.

Committee members say they won't co-operate until Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald provides further details on an inquiry into a complaint made against Mr Stanley.

Taoiseach Simon Harris says Mary Lou McDonald should take today to give all the facts to the public:

James O’Connor, Fianna Fail TD and Member of the PAC, says there is a real lack of clarity:

It's expected to be a fiery day in the Dáil as TDs gear up for statements on child protection.

It comes as Sinn Féin finds itself mired in controversies about the behaviour of party members.

This afternoon the Dáil will hear statements on child protection, a slot demanded by a number of parties in the wake of significant controversies surrounding Sinn Féin.

Work references provided to former press officer Michael McMonagle who has pleaded guilty to child sex offences in Northern Ireland have become political ammunition for Government and opposition parties alike.

While ordering a review of governance structures Mary Lou McDonald also warned those in glass government houses not to cast stones, and said she intends to raise cases of references being provided by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members to people also found guilty of sex offences.

Since then further turmoil has engulfed the party with the resignation of two TDs, and questions over why Sinn Féin didn't pass on a complaint against Brian Stanley to gardaí earlier in the process of investigation.

The party says no criminal offence was identified in the initial complaint, and making the reference to Gardaí was done out of an abundance of caution.

Mary Lou McDonald says the Sinn Féin party member who made a complaint against TD Brian Stanley was "traumatised and distressed".

She said the complaint investigated by the party against Mr Stanley related to his personal behaviour and Sinn Féin acted in a correct and fair manner.