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Michael Healy-Rae resigned his ministerial post (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has criticised major opposition parties for their response to fuel blockades, after his Government won a motion of confidence.<\/p>\n
The coalition won a motion of confidence by a margin of 92 votes to 78 on Tuesday, but suffered a loss of two seats in its majority and the resignation of a junior minister in the process.<\/p>\n
Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae voted against the Government, with the latter resigning as minister of state in spectacular fashion.<\/p>\n
They had been among independents who had supported the formation of the coalition, along with others including Michael Lowry TD and Minister of State Se\u00e1n Canney.<\/p>\n
Michael Healy-Rae resigned his ministerial post (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\n
The vote was called after Sinn F\u00e9in said it would bring a motion of no confidence in the Government over its response to fuel costs as well as its handling of related protests which saw critical national infrastructure blockaded.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Martin fielded Leaders\u2019 Questions and used the opportunity to criticise Sinn F\u00e9in, Labour and the Social Democrats.<\/p>\n
He accused Sinn F\u00e9in of being \u201cincapable\u201d of saying the blockades of critical infrastructure were wrong.<\/p>\n
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Sinn F\u00e9in Leader Mary Lou McDonald said Martin had lost the confidence of the Irish people (Brian Lawless\/PA)<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t say that\u2019s wrong even though it would have led to a scarcity of oil supply and increased fuel prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot say that it\u2019s wrong to blockade ports, even though it would destroy our economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t say it\u2019s wrong to intimidate bus drivers, you haven\u2019t the courage.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cYou\u2019re weak as a political party, absolutely.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou couldn\u2019t do it. You tried to jump on board, and that\u2019s sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"National](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776273730_373_taoiseach-says-it-is-sad-sinn-fein-tried-to-jump-on-board-blockades.jpg\")
People with their luggage walk past the heavy traffic on Dublin\u2019s M50 Northbound, due to vehicles taking part on the third day of the fuel protests (Brian Lawless\/PA)<\/p>\n
He was responding to Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald, who told him that while he survived the confidence motion: \u201cPlease be under no illusion, you have lost the confidence of the Irish people.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of your arrogance, because you don\u2019t understand their lives, because you refuse to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n
McDonald said she \u201ccondemned all forms of intimidation\u201d and added: \u201cAnd anybody who has known me in any part of my life knows that I may lack many things. I do not lack courage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin also took aim at Labour, telling party leader Ivana Bacik that while she had a \u201cresponsible approach to politics\u201d she had been \u201cnoticeable by your silence\u201d during the blockades.<\/p>\n
Amid objections from the Labour benches, he added: \u201cI actually understand why, and I think we do need a discussion about it in this House.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause there\u2019s a lot of what went on that you wouldn\u2019t have agreed with, if we\u2019re honest.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that was evident in the voting pattern last evening and I think you got a glimpse of what sidling up to Sinn F\u00e9in can mean for your party and the damage it can do to you in the time ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Labour leader Ivana Bacik was accused of being \u2018afraid of people alongside her\u2019 (Brian Lawless\/PA)<\/p>\n
Martin further accused Bacik for not entering into Government because she was \u201cafraid of people alongside\u201d her in the chamber.<\/p>\n
The Labour leader told Martin he had to \u201cstop rewriting history about Government formation\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said an agreement with \u201cthe Lowry gang and the Healy-Raes\u201d had been finalised before any engagement with Labour, adding that that \u201cdeal is now unravelling\u201d following Michael Healy-Rae\u2019s resignation over the fuel crisis.<\/p>\n
Bacik said she did not accept Martin\u2019s claim about silence, stating she had called on Government to meet representative organisations and for protesters to lift blockades last Wednesday.<\/p>\n
She told the Taoiseach his Government had been \u201cweakened and damaged over\u201d his \u201cinadequate response to the energy crisis and fuel protests\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Martin had avoided her questions (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\n
Responding to criticism of the handling of fuel protests from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, Martin said: \u201cYou said very little last week at all, that\u2019s fair.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said nothing. Last Sunday I think was your first speech, that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin said there were a lot of people who felt afraid to condemn intimidation of gardai and truck drivers which occurred during the protests.<\/p>\n
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