DUBLIN 24 Aug (ANA) - Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin should end their "chaotic" coalition government, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said, after she savaged their refusal to recall Ireland's legislature, the Dail, sooner.

 

Ms McDonald was speaking in the midst of turbulent times for Taoiseach Mr Martin and Mr Varadkar, who are still dealing with the fallout from "Golfgate", whereby several high-profile politicians attended a social function in breach of new coronavirus restrictions.

 

Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin and Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar, who preceded him as Taoiseach, joined with the Greens, led by Eamon Ryan, in June - but Mrs McDonald suggested the deal's days were numbered.

 

Demands to recall the Dail, currently on a six-week recess, were initially rebuffed - but a government statement issued yesterday indicated it will now return at least a week early.

 

Mrs McDonald argued the decision did not go far enough, tweeting: "Dail should be back this week. Govt delay is wrong.

 

"Politics needs to get ahead of the big challenges of school returns, healthcare capacity, protecting jobs and workers. Chaotic govt must end."

 

She also retweeted a post from Sinn Fein's official account stating: "The Dáil must be recalled. This shambolic government must answer questions and rebuild public confidence.

 

"We are elected to the Dáil. This is not a country club. We are accountable to the people. #RecallTheDáil #golfgate"

 

Two days earlier, as news of the social function at the County Galway Station House Hotel emerged, Ms McDonald posted: "The government is increasingly chaotic, confused, with no direction. They must be held to account."

 

Meanwhile, Labour leader Alan Kelly asked why the Dail could not return tomorrow, saying: "Announcing in the middle of the night a recall of the Dail that won’t happen for over a week sums up the chaos at the heart of this government.

 

"A delayed return of the Dail is not acceptable, and it should come back this Tuesday, 25th August."

 

The Government's statement said: "The Taoiseach, Tanaiste, and Minister Eamon Ryan have agreed that the Dail should be recalled following the reopening of schools. (ANA)

FA/ANA/24 August 2020--------