In some ways, you could understand Mary Lou McDonald’s frustration. She had asked a legitimate question of the Tanaiste during leaders questions, and in her opinion, had failed to get a straight answer.
Anyone who has ever interviewed Joan Burton understands what Mary Lou had gone through. Ms Burton has a skill, often found in politicians, whereby a lot can be said, but nothing can be gleaned. It’s the age-old political trick of using 20 words where one might suffice; you run down the clock and get away without giving anything away at all.
From that point, it descended into farce. Ms McDonald was asked to leave the Chamber, she refused and the Government used its majority to vote to suspend her. With a reaction that wouldn’t have been out of place in a university debating club, she stayed in her seat.
At a minimum, she was disrespecting the rules of the chamber to which she was elected by the people of Dublin Central. Mary Lou McDonald may have had a point, but staging a sit-in was a stunt.
What ultimately was the undoing of this political stand was the fact that they turned off the TV cameras, meaning the only people who witnessed this act of defiance were other TDs and the journalists in the press gallery. Apart from the odd report on news bulletins, there was no official Big Brother-style ‘Mary Lou-watch’. The Dail was formally suspended a few hours later, and Mary Lou packed up her Polo mints and left.
Cue press releases, complaints about the Ceann Comhairle, and general ridicule about how members of the Oireachtas behave themselves.
Now, again you can understand Mary Lou’s frustration. Many have suggested that her actions were merely an attempt to detract from the previous day’s debate around Mairia Cahill’s allegations, although I don’t personally think she went into the chamber on Thursday with the intention of putting on a show. Either way, her actions didn’t distract – and if anything they backfired.
The episode focused public attention on Sinn Fein’s refusal to answer questions over the party’s handling of child protection, and their unfaltering support of Gerry Adams’ recollection of events.
They say they ‘believe’ Mairia Cahill was raped, yet when they’re questioned, they completely refute Ms Cahill’s story about how their organisation dealt with her. And, when repeatedly asked the question about whether Gerry Adams was in the IRA, they tell us with a straight face that he wasn’t.
We may somewhat understand Mary Lou McDonald’s frustration at questions not being answered.
Perhaps now, she might understand ours.
