Martin and McDonald collide in Dáil exchange

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In a surprisingly bitter Dáil exchange, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused the Sinn Féin leader of taking every opportunity to speak “falsehoods”.

Mary Lou McDonald had told the Dáil that thousands of low-paid workers kept the country going during the Covid-19 crisis.

These workers were essential and applauded, but cannot feed their children applause, he said.

She said something is seriously wrong when a Low Pay Commission cannot agree to a meaningful wage increase for low-wage workers.

“Is this your version of ‘we’re all in this together’? Because I’m surprised the Tánaiste and Fine Gael fingerprints are everywhere.”

She described the government as disconnected and said the Taoiseach was in a “delusional reverie.”

The Taoiseach accused Sinn Féin of carrying out an extraordinary and outrageous political accusation.

Mr. Martin insisted that more than 750,000 workers are being supported by the State due to Covid-19.

He said he understands the reason for the Irish Trade Union Congress to withdraw from the Low Pay Commission and hopes they can get back to talks.

This week, the ICTU withdrew from the commission, questioning the future of the body established by the government.

ICTU Secretary General Patricia King said the decision was due to the finding that other members of the commission were not prepared to propose an increase in the national minimum wage by 2021 beyond 1%.

Taoiseach accuses Sinn Féin of expenses

Meanwhile, during the controversial discussion about salary increases and the Low Pay Commission, the Taoiseach accused Sinn Féin of “not being ashamed” of retirement expenses.

Louise O’Reilly and John Brady of Sinn Féin had raised the issue of unions leaving the low-wage commission while there was an increase in TD wages.

Ms. O’Reilly asked if the Taoiseach would legislate to propose a meaningful minimum wage.

The Taoiseach said the last five recommendations of the commission have been implemented; He said that the State’s intervention has been unprecedented in helping those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that Sinn Féin is the richest party in the house and that some TDs took the full salary even though the party said no.

“He’s not going to intimidate people by yelling and roaring,” she told Ms. O’Reilly while talking about him.

He said Sinn Féin had no shame in withdrawing the expenses of Westminster and the Northern Assembly.

“I have not raised millions of dollars in the United States like your party,” he added.

Stronger messages needed, hey Dáil

During the Leaders’ Questions, the co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, told the Taoiseach that stronger public health messages are needed.

Ms Shortall also said that alternative strategies to deal with the pandemic should be discussed in a public forum.

The Taoiseach said the public health debate should transcend party politics.

He said that all parties were informed on Friday and that there will be another briefing with party leaders and health spokesmen.

Martin said he does not believe in the herd immunity approach, as not enough is known about the disease.

The Taoiseach said that the economic and social implications of an elimination strategy would be very important and serious. The strategy to control the disease is the correct one, he said.

Ms Shortall asked the Taoiseach to consider the possibility of a cross-party discussion to analyze the different approaches the country can take to deal with the virus in the medium and long term.

The Taoiseach said it would be a good idea to have a more calm and reasonable time frame to discuss the different ways to handle the pandemic and that it will give him some time and consideration.

Maternity ward restrictions criticized

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said maternity room restrictions are meaningless when partners of pregnant women are unable to enter the wards or examinations and have to sit outside in many cases.

He said it is unacceptable for a woman to be alone if she receives the devastating news that a pregnancy is not viable.

The Taoiseach said what is happening is a reminder of how indiscriminate and devastating the pandemic has been in disrupting the norms of human experience.

He said that in maternity wards their goal is to do no harm and protect mothers, babies and front-line workers.

He said the Health Department is working on a document that would allow for a consistent national approach to visitor restrictions.

The Taoiseach said it depends on different maternity wards and that there has to be some local decision.

He said that he will continue to work with the Minister of Health to obtain a satisfactory response.

Pringle said it’s not about visitor restrictions – having one more person in the room doesn’t make much of a difference.

She said compassion is lacking and that it sounds like an example of male macho privilege with men making decisions around women’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy.

The Taoiseach said that risk managers in hospitals should be recognized in their work of trying to protect people.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Alan Kelly asked about the flu vaccine. He said there is real concern about the supply and how it will be managed.

The Taoiseach said there have been problems in the delivery of the flu vaccine and that it has arrived and additional supplies will be available by the end of this month.



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