Sinn Féin TD defends using IRA slogan ‘Tiocfaidh ár lá' in Dáil chamber
The phrase was used at the end of a speech on extending voting rights to Irish citizens abroad, in particular for presidential elections.
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (below), a first-time TD for Kildare South, was speaking after party leader Mary Lou McDonald.
'It is absolutely nonsensical that Irish citizens in the North cannot vote for Uachtaráin na hÉireann,' Ms Ní Raghallaigh said.
'These people are no less Irish than you or I. They have Irish passports and they have contested and held presidential office, but they have been left behind by successive governments since the foundation of the Free State.'
Fianna Fáil 'still has the nerve to claim itself republican in the face of this blatant discrimination', she added, before switching to Irish.
She concluded with the words: 'Tiocfaidh ár lá.'
We must take this step, put it right and our day will come
Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness looked surprised, but he made no intervention.
Contacted later, he said: 'I am in favour of free speech.'
The phrase 'Tiocfaidh ár lá' has never been banned as unparliamentary, unlike phrases such as 'felon-setter' and 'blackguard'.
When contacted by the Sunday Independent, Ms Ní Raghallaigh responded: 'I was speaking on our motion to extend presidential voting rights to those in the Six Counties.
'I ended my speech saying that it is becoming shameful for us as a state, and us working towards a united Ireland — an Ireland for all. We must take this step, put it right and our day will come.'
Asked if she was deliberately channelling the slogan of the Provisional IRA, she responded: 'I have replied here, and have nothing further to add.'
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