Plan to put Votegate TDs in Cabinet is cynical politics at its worst – O’Dowd

Is Micheál Martin set to give Votegate duo Ministerial car keys?

For a second day in a row Micheál Martin has refused to rule out putting his TDs who were at the centre of the Votegate controversy in Cabinet, a Fine Gael TD has said.

“This is an insult to voters – a Dáil investigation into both deputies did not give a verdict on either but apparently, that doesn’t matter to Micheál Martin. He is happy to overlook their voting practises in order to boost his lacklustre team.

“Their actions made the pair unsuitable for his front bench but in a cynical bid to boost their election chances, he is leaving the door open for both to sit at Cabinet. It is cynical politics at its worst.

“This is more of the same from Fianna Fáil who are desperate to show the public a new image but can’t help revealing their true colours time and again. They have no team to match the current Fine Gael team and will do anything to try and conceal this fact from voters.

“To appoint these deputies to Cabinet would show contempt for the Irish public who put their faith and trust into TDs to carry out their Dáíl duties to the highest standard – voting on legislation is at the heart of what we do as TDs.

“The public deserve to know if he plans to give ministerial car keys to the double voter (Collins) and absentee voter (Dooley).

“Can the FF leader explain how their actions warranted expulsion from the FF front bench but does not exclude them from a potential seat at Cabinet?

“Micheál Martin must clarify this issue once and for all,” Deputy O’Dowd concluded.