FIANNA Fáil TDs who fail to vote for Foreign Minister Simon Coveney face a six-month ban from the parliamentary party, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said
Speaking at a Fianna Fáil think-in in Ballyconnell, Coubty Cavan, Martin said the automatic sanction would apply to any TD who did not support the government in the confidence vote in Mr Coveney.
Many TDS are said to be unhappy with the prospect of putting their trust in Coveney, but most agree that they must support the government.
The motion will be tabled by Sinn Féin against Mr Coveney.
The Labor Party and the Social Democrats are to support a motion of censure against Coveney.
A Green spokesman said all TDs are expected to vote for the government.
The controversy over Mr. Coveney’s abandoned appointment of Katherine Zappone to a UN special envoy role has been a recurring topic at Fianna Fáil’s meetings, with a number of TDs questioning the Taoiseach’s downplaying of the issue.
Speaking to the media, Mr Martin argued that the forced resignation of Mr Coveney during a critical month in which the state takes over the presidency would have ramifications for Ireland’s membership in the UN Security Council.