Politics

Analysis: Government will survive no confidence vote, but it has a precarious grasp on power

Coalition is vulnerable if divisive issues become the subject of Dáil votes in the months and years ahead

‘For Sinn Féin and its leader Mary Lou McDonald, the opportunity to make the last week of the Dáil before summer recess a theatrical appraisal of the government’s track record was too good to pass up.’

Mary Lou McDonald first started accusing the government of being “out of touch and out of time” just under a year ago, as Sinn Féin was preparing to bring a motion of no confidence against Simon Coveney, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, over Katherine Zappone’s botched appointment as a UN special envoy.

While the government proved itself to have plenty of time left on the clock on that occasion, Sinn Féin has stayed militantly on ...