Accusations of ‘strategic interruption’ as Sinn Fein TDs clash with speaker

Sinn Fein TDs have clashed with the speaker of the Dail and the Tanaiste after a row erupted over previous housing commitments made by the Government.

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail was moments away from suspending the House after he accused Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty and Eoin O Broin of engaging in “strategic interruption” during Leaders’ Questions.

Micheal Martin had been questioned about a commitment he gave to deliver 50,000 affordable homes to buy at prices less than 250,000 euro when the row escalated.

“I know we’re at a certain point in the electoral cycle where people are getting excited,” Mr O Fearghail said.

“I know hostages have been given to fortune, but they’ve been given by lots of different people on lots of different sides.

“The public are looking at this and they expect the debate here to be conducted in an orderly… they expect the debate to be conducted.

“Strategic interruption and heckling is no way to conduct an orderly debate.”

Addressing Mr O Broin, Sinn Fein’s housing spokesman, Mr O Fearghail said: “You sir, are the arch strategist, you know very well what you’re doing. You know very well what you’re doing and you’re strategically heckling constantly.

“The next time this occurs I am going to suspend the House.”

He then ordered the TDs to sit down.

Minister of State Mary Butler was also overheard saying “amazing what a poll can do”, in reference to an opinion poll which showed that Fine Gael is on 23%, up four percentage points, while Sinn Fein is on 23%, down five points.

Addressing the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Doherty said that a report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Wednesday revealed that house prices have risen by more than 7% in the last year.

“Since this government took office, the average house price in Carrigaline in your own constituency, Tanaiste, has increased by almost 100,000 euros,” Mr Doherty said.

“Nearly half the houses in Carrigaline are now being sold for more than 400,000 euro and under this government homes are becoming less affordable.

“This has been seen right across the State in every county and in every community and yet your government says that the housing plan is working and claims that you’ve turned a corner.

“Yet, across the State first-time buyers are now facing an average price of 400,000 euros to buy a new build home.

“On what planet is this affordable for ordinary workers and families?”

Mr Doherty told the Dail that the number of new homes coming on to the market to buy and own fell last year.

He added: “I’m going to ask you a very simple question, Tanaiste, and it’s one that you personally gave.

“We are now over four years since the general election. You personally gave a commitment to the electorate that if elected, you would deliver 50,000 affordable homes to purchase at prices less than 250,000 euro.

“My question, and I’m sure many people are scratching their heads asking the same question, where are those homes today?

“Because nobody can find them anywhere. They’re not in Cork. They’re not in Donegal. They’re not in Dublin.”

Mr Martin defended the Government’s housing policies, saying that around 18,000 new homes commenced in April this year.

He claimed this was 600% more than last year.

“In the first four months of 2024, there were over 30,000 houses commenced,” he said.

“There is momentum in terms of house construction in this country.”

Mr Martin went on to compare Mr Doherty to a “Jekyll and Hyde”.

“You told Davy stockbrokers that you would support the Future Ireland Fund and you voted against it in the Dail yesterday.

“It’s the classic you know, you’re Dr Jekyll to Davy stockbrokers but you’re Mr Hyde when it comes into the Dail.

“I know which personality I believe in. But I would ask what should the Irish people believe when it relates to Sinn Fein and housing policy?”