The much criticised Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy (Fine Gael) has narrowly survived a ‘no-confidence’ vote in the Dail last night, with help from 4 of the 5 elected TDs in Wexford.

Fine Gael TD’s Paul Kehoe and Michael D’Arcy voted in support of Mr Murphy, while Fianna Fail TD’s James Browne and newly elected Malcolm Byrne both abstained from voting, which implies their satisfaction with the performance of the Minister.

The only Wexford TD who voted in favour of removing Minister Murphy was Labour’s Brendan Howlin.

Newly elected TD Malcolm Byrne said in an interview with Wexfordtoday prior to the by-election that,

“This governments policy on housing is a shambles”

and that there is,

“anger and shame at the fact we have over 10,000 people homeless and in emergency accommodation”.

Yet, approximately 72 hours after being elected, Deputy Byrne chooses to help keep the Housing Minister in office.

An opportunity was there for the Wexford TD’s, in particular the two Fianna Fail TD’s, to make it clear that the current housing situation is being mismanaged. A key emphasis of Malcolm Byrne’s recent campaign was in relation to housing issues in Wexford and nationwide. It appears disingenuous therefore, to abstain from voting when an opportunity arose today to remove the Minister and have him replaced by someone who may be more competent.

By abstaining from important issues like this, Fianna Fail are failing in their duty as an opposition party. Their actions are allowing this Fine Gael government a free hand to behave as they please, without fear of being held to account.

Furthermore, there was much comment over the weekend about the record low turnouts for the 4 by-elections, with the turnout for Wexford, a pitiful 35.3%. Regular voters are not being set a very good example by Fianna Fail TD’s, who are constantly abstaining from voting and abdicating their responsibility to their constituents both in Wexford and across the country.

Vote Fianna Fail, get Fine Gael?