Marc MacSharry returns to Dáil after suspension

Sligo Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry will return to the Dáil tomorrow, Saturday, December 17 for the vote to elect Leo Vardkar as Taoiseach.

Deputy MacSharry was suspended from Dáil Eireann on Wednesday and Thursday this week for comments he made about Leas-Cheann Comhairle Catherine Connolly.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl told the Dáil late on Wednesday night that he was proposing to suspend the Sligo-Leitrim TD after had failed to withdraw allegations of bias against him over speaking time. “Deputy MacSharry has unfortunately not withdrawn his allegations as directed. Therefore, in accordance with Standing Order 74(1), I now name the Deputy for grossly disorderly conduct,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl informed the house.

He asked the Dáil to agree to his proposal to suspend the former Fianna Fáil TD from the house for Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Mr MacSharry was not present at the time and the proposal was agreed to without a vote.

In an email to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Deputy Marc MacSharry raised a number of issues with the investigation into the decision. The former Fianna Fáil TD has expressed concern that Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle, who lodged the complaint after Deputy MacSharry accused Ms Connolly of showing bias, was part of the Oireachtas committee that agreed to suspend him.

Deputy MacSharry also took issue with the length of time it took to decide to suspend him from the Dáil for two days with the meeting in question reportedly taking only 28 minutes.

Ahead of Saturday's vote, MacSharry has asked the Government for commitments on the future of Sligo University Hospital.

He has requested a review of SUH for inclusion as a surgical hub, the “precise date “ for the commencement of a new four-storey block at the hospital, an update on the cardiology plan for the hospital, and an update on staff recruitment and the scheduled opening of four additional ICU beds.