Concern continues over the Oireachtas golf outing in Galway.

Golfgate: Dáil should return on Tuesday says Kelly

Published: Mon 24 Aug 2020, 9:37 AM

Last updated: Mon 24 Aug 2020, 10:43 AM

Following the announcement in the middle of the night by the three leaders in Government to recall the Dáil, but not for over a week’s time, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly TD said it should return this Tuesday, and he wrote to the Taoiseach on Saturday outlining the reasons why, and the urgent need to restore public confidence after the Oireachtas golf society debacle.

Deputy Kelly said: “Announcing in the middle of the night a recall of the Dáil that won’t happen for over a week sums up the chaos at the heart of this Government. A delayed return of the Dáil is not acceptable, and it should come back this Tuesday, August 25th.

“I wrote to the Taoiseach on Saturday to tell him our country is living through an unprecedented national crisis and people are furious. They must see that their public representatives are at work on their behalf. That is why I want the Dáil to return this Tuesday rather than wait any longer. We have too much to discuss. There is a serious crisis of confidence in the institutions of the State and the Government’s ability to handle this pandemic after so many high-profile public figures acted with impunity.

“It makes no sense that the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister Ryan are prepared to wait over a week in the hope this storm will pass. The flagrant breach of public health rules at the golf dinner was wrong and has caused huge public anger. It has also added to the contradictory messaging about the new Covid-19 restrictions announced this week.

“The leaders in Government must act decisively now, rather than procrastinate. We need a new Minister for Agriculture and the Marine because of outbreaks in meat factories, and there are many issues to be addressed around the reopening of our schools and the process for awarding Leaving Certificate results. I also told the Taoiseach that the position of the Commissioner is not tenable. The Taoiseach needs to state whether he has confidence in Commissioner Hogan to continue in his position, and why there should be any different treatment for a Government Minister or an EU commissioner who engaged in the same activity.”

The Dáil had been due to complete a six-week recess, returning on September 15th. Schools are due to re-open from the end of this week, meaning the Dáil is likely to return at least a week early.