Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Dáil – Buttimer

Mary Lou McDonald will do anything to deflect attention from her party’s appalling treatment of Mairia Cahill

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has said that today’s behaviour by Mary Lou McDonald in Dáil Éireann is a stunt which is directly designed to deflect attention away from the Party’s treatment of abuse victims. Deputy McDonald’s actions have resulted in the Dáil being suspended for the day.

“As a member of Dáil Eireann, I take genuine offence that Sinn Féin would use our Parliament as a prop to deflect attention from the negative media coverage over Sinn Féin’s treatment of sexual abuse victims.

“It disappoints me that Mary Lou McDonald, who herself is an able Parliamentarian, is prepared to derail the democratic function of the Dáil in order to try and change the media agenda.

“Asking questions she knows well the Tánaiste cannot answer until decisions are made on water charges next week is her excuse for this play acting. Not satisfied with causing Dáil business to be suspended, she is also ignoring the majority vote of the Dáil – this is democracy Sinn Féin-style.”