If the Government loses today’s no-confidence vote, a general election would be triggered tonight, forcing smaller parties to “fight” for their seats against Sinn Féin, the Taoiseach has warned.
This week the Labour Party put forward a motion of no-confidence against the Government over their refusal to extend the eviction ban. However, should the Government lose this vote, an election would automatically be triggered, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar saying that the vote would take place in April.
“If the motion of confidence tomorrow fails and the Opposition is successful, the Government is not dissolved,” Varadkar said.
“The Dáil is dissolved and that means the eviction ban will lapse anyway.”
He continued, saying that People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett “will have to fight for his seat,” adding “we all will.”
“However, if the polls are to be believed, the Deputy will probably be the only one to survive as most of the People Before Profit seats will be taken by Sinn Féin,” the Taoiseach said.
When asked by Boyd-Barrett if the Taoiseach believed his seat would survive an election, Varadkar replied: “Absolutely.”
“I have increased my vote in every election I have run in,” he said.
“I have always taken the first or second seat, despite what people may say.”
“The Deputy will see one of two things: the re-election of this Government or a Government led by Sinn Féin that will end the eviction ban in January anyway.
“What is the point in the Opposition’s motion? It is just ego.”
While Varadkar was elected to the second seat in his Dublin West constituency in 2020, he was elected on the 5th count
In the wake of the results, former Fine Gael TD and Senator Paudie Coffey called for Varadkar to “step aside” as Fine Gael leader, saying that the election was Fine Gael’s worst ever. The party received its lowest ever share of the first preference vote, coming in at less than 21%.