Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy will face a no confidence motion in the Dáil next week.
The Social Democrats have confirmed they will table a vote on the embattled Minister, with Minister Murphy himself dismissing the motion as a 'stunt'.
However, Fianna Fáil has confirmed it will not support the motion:
CONFIRMED: Fianna Fáil will NOT support the motion of no confidence in Eoghan Murphy. Party says the move from the Social Democrats is cynical and Christmas week is not the right time for a general election
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 27, 2019
Minister Murphy previously survived a no confidence motion from Sinn Féin in September 2018.
The latest move has caught the Government off guard, as they were not expecting a vote of confidence or anything like it this close to Christmas.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said she believes some people do want do go to the polls, even if it means a general election in the days after Christmas.
She argued: "There is a real anger - we can't keep postponing this.
"This is not about us, this is not about Dáil arithmetic - this is about a really critical issue that we can't postpone any longer."
The Social Democrats say some people would like to go to the polls during Christmas week in order to get this government and this Housing Minister out pic.twitter.com/BmaaIP4FkI
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 27, 2019
"Stunt"
In a statement, a spokesperson for Eoghan Murphy described the motion as an "election stunt" ahead of the by-elections on Friday.
The statement adds: "The Social Democrats cannot point to a single piece of legislation they have got support for that would bring solutions to the housing crisis.
"Have they ever attended a Joint Oireachtas Committee on housing either on legislation or on Rebuilding Ireland updates?
"This is pathetic and the Social Democrats would be better using their time seeking support for a constructive solution rather than a stunt that will not pass."
Minister Murphy himself also described it as a stunt:
Stunt from SocDems won’t build one new home.
50,000 new homes built in last 3yrs - 82% increase between 2016 and 2018.
10,000 new social homes this yr - 11,000 next yr & 12,000 following yr.
17,000 homes for first time buyers with the Help to Buy & RI Home-loan.— Eoghan Murphy (@MurphyEoghan) November 27, 2019
Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin has been highly critical of the Government on housing, and they have a bill on the issue - looking to ensure space on private developments is put aside for first-time buyers - going before the Dáil today,
Deputy Martin's party abstained in the last no confidence motion in Eoghan Murphy due to their confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael.
Big dilemma for Fianna Fáil. Weeks spent giving out about housing and now they have the chance to depose Eoghan Murphy. But if they do we're all on the doors until Christmas
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 27, 2019
