Local independent TDs have been nailing their colours to the mast ahead of this evenings no confidence vote in the Justice Minister. Minister Helen McEntee is set to comfortably survive the Sinn Fein motion today with the support of Government TDs and independent deputies. Both Roscommon/Galway TD Denis Naughten and recently independent Sligo/Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry have indicated they'll vote with the government. In a statement to Shannonside FM News today, Deputy MacSharry stated that while he totally condemns the violence in Dublin, "now is not the time for throwing Ministers and Commissioners under the bus."
Staying with Sligo/Leitrim, Deputy Marian Harkin has indicated that she is paired for the vote. A pairing agreement is when an opposition TD agrees not to vote in the Dail because of the absence of a Government TD or Minister. This is often used to allow Minister's to go abroad on official business, in the case of illness or maternity leave. Finishing out the list is rural independent in Roscommon/Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, who has confirmed he will be supporting the Sinn Fein motion of no confidence in Helen McEntee. The vote will take place in the Dail Chamber this evening.
