Angry row erupts in Dáil as Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin accuses Taoiseach of ‘lying’

9th February 2022

AN angry row erupted in the Dáil today in the wake of further shocking housing statistics.

The issue of rocketing rents were raised by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald – leading to accusations that the Taoiseach was “lying” in his reply.

Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin spokesman on housing, became irate at charges from Micheál Martin that his party had “objected to about 6,000 houses” and was guilty of hypocrisy.

Mr Ó Broin said: “You’re lying about that,” as uproar arose on all sides of the House.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl immediately began ringing his bell for order as TDs hurled charges at each other.

The speaker told Mr Ó Broin: “It is not acceptable to accuse any member of the House of lying. I would ask you to withdraw that.”

Mr Ó Broin said the Taoiseach was lying but if he wanted him to substitute ‘misleading’ for ‘lie’, he would do that.

“I’m more than happy to substitute willingly mislead for the same thing.”

Charges of lying are regarded as unparliamentary.

Ms McDonald had earlier personally criticised the Taoiseach, and the pair have previously clashed on their motives and backgrounds.

She told him the rental crisis was “a nightmare of your construction”, Mr Martin responded by listing a catalogue of Government actions.

Ms McDonald said: “It strikes me you are happy to come in and recite big figures, but never actually get to the root of the issue, and the day-to-day reality that people cannot make the rent.”

She demanded that as part of the cost of living package to be announced tomorrow, that the Government cut rents by means of a tax credit, with a ban on “runaway” rent increases for three years.

Mr Martin this time went on the attack, leading to the angry row. He said Sinn Fein policies would restrict rental supply into the next number of years.

“It would actually cause rents to go up,” he said.

He accused Sinn Féin of ignoring the fundamental point of supply and resorting to “political sloganeering, exploiting the issues for the sake of electoral gain”.

He added: “If we restrict supply, rents will go up a sure as night follows day. What we do not need is serial objections – as your party have made, right across the country.”