The Government is expected to survive today’s motion of no confidence thanks to the support of independent TDs.

In theory, the Government lost its majority last week after Donegal TD Joe McHugh voted against legislation pertaining to the mica redress scheme. 

Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government, arguing that their performance on key issues had been “clearly shambolic”: 

“We now have a situation where we’re two years into this administration,” Mary Lou McDonald told Newstalk. 

“We have clear evidence of very spectacular failure, a lack of leadership, even at times a lack of basic organisation on their part. 

“And [the way] they dealt with this issue of mica and pyrite and those families, for me that demonstrated I think most graphically why it is now time to call time on them and time for them to go.”

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald speaking during the Cost of Living protests outside the Dáil Dublin. Photograph: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Independent support

Fine Gael have described the motion as a “stunt” and Tánaiste Leo Varardkar said that if passed an August election would delay the autumn budget. 

The SF confidence motion confidence is just another ‘show motion’. It will achieve nothing. Last week's SF 'show motion' called for an early Budget to help families with the cost of living, this week’s SF 'show motion' would trigger an election in August and delay the Budget!

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 11, 2022

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been ringing around independent TDs asking for their support and Government whips think they have the numbers; former Fine Gaeler Joe McHugh will vote with the Government - as will former Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry. 

Independent Michael Lowry’s support brings the Government up to 82 votes and the two exiled Green TDs, Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello, could also vote against the motion. 

A number of other independent TDs could potentially vote with the Government as well.

Main image: The three coalition party leaders. Picture by: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie