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Dublin Live
2 days ago
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Sinn Fein TD denies having Special Criminal Court debate 'tactical wee'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Sinn Féin TD has denied taking a "tactical wee" in order to miss his opportunity to call a Dáil vote on the Special Criminal Courts. Matt Carthy was absent from the Dáil chamber on Wednesday afternoon when a debate on the Special Criminal Court was passed without a vote. Sinn Féin traditionally voted against the non-jury court when the legislation came up for renewal every year. However, for the last number of years, it has abstained from the vote as new reforms were under consideration. On Wednesday, the debate ended more an hour earlier than expected as there were no more speakers in the Dáil chamber. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy stated that she had to call a vote on Sinn Féin's amendment but there was a "difficulty in that Deputy Carthy has stepped out". Junior Minister at the Department of Justice Niall Collins, who had declined an opportunity to speak and conclude the debate, stated that "that is the way it goes". A vote on the amendment was not called and those present in the Dáil Chamber then agreed to pass the legislation underpinning the Special Criminal Court without a vote. Mr Carthy returned and asked if he could move his amendment and that he was absent as he "had to take a call". However, the Ceann Comhairle told him that she "did not know if you were coming back" and that it was too late. Speaking on the Leinster House plinth on Thursday, Mr Carthy admitted that he had actually gone to the toilet and missed the end of the debate. However, he denied that it was a "tactical wee", a reference to the Australian children's TV show Bluey. He said: "It was just one of those occasions. There was a very long debate. I was there for the vast majority of it. "There was a number of groups left to speak, including several independent TDs, a number of government speakers, and the Minister of State, Niall Collins, was to give a closing address. I stepped out to answer nature's call, to be quite frank about it. While I wasn't there, the minister saw an opportunity and didn't take his opportunity to give a closing address. "The independents who were due to speak weren't present, and therefore he was able to ensure the passage of the legislation without any vote. I thought it was petty to be honest, but that is politics." He added: "No, [it wasn't a tactical wee]. It was a tactical position on the part of the Minister of State. It was what we call an old fashioned political stroke." Government sources, however, denied that there was any "stroke", arguing that there was also a Sinn Féin speaking slot that Mr Carthy and other TDs were not present for. They also suggested that he "effectively got rid of opposition speaking time" as the Sinn Féin slot was skipped and independent TDs missed their slots that were pushed forward as a result. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sinn Féin TD denies taking 'tactical wee' during Special Criminal Court debate
A Sinn Féin TD has denied taking a 'tactical wee' in order to miss his opportunity to call a Dáil vote on the Special Criminal Courts. Matt Carthy was absent from the Dáil chamber on Wednesday afternoon when a debate on the Special Criminal Court was passed without a vote. Sinn Féin traditionally voted against the non-jury court when the legislation came up for renewal every year. However, for the last number of years, it has abstained from the vote as new reforms were under consideration. On Wednesday, the debate ended more an hour earlier than expected as there were no more speakers in the Dáil chamber. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy stated that she had to call a vote on Sinn Féin's amendment but there was a 'difficulty in that Deputy Carthy has stepped out'. Junior Minister at the Department of Justice Niall Collins, who had declined an opportunity to speak and conclude the debate, stated that 'that is the way it goes'. A vote on the amendment was not called and those present in the Dáil Chamber then agreed to pass the legislation underpinning the Special Criminal Court without a vote. Mr Carthy returned and asked if he could move his amendment and that he was absent as he 'had to take a call'. However, the Ceann Comhairle told him that she 'did not know if you were coming back' and that it was too late. Speaking on the Leinster House plinth on Thursday, Mr Carthy admitted that he had actually gone to the toilet and missed the end of the debate. However, he denied that it was a 'tactical wee', a reference to the Australian children's TV show Bluey. He said: 'It was just one of those occasions. There was a very long debate. I was there for the vast majority of it. 'There was a number of groups left to speak, including several independent TDs, a number of government speakers, and the Minister of State, Niall Collins, was to give a closing address. 'I stepped out to answer nature's call, to be quite frank about it. While I wasn't there, the minister saw an opportunity and didn't take his opportunity to give a closing address. 'The independents who were due to speak weren't present, and therefore he was able to ensure the passage of the legislation without any vote. 'I thought it was petty to be honest, but that is politics.' He added: 'No, [it wasn't a tactical wee]. It was a tactical position on the part of the Minister of State. It was what we call an old fashioned political stroke.' Government sources, however, denied that there was any 'stroke', arguing that there was also a Sinn Féin speaking slot that Mr Carthy and other TDs were not present for. They also suggested that he 'effectively got rid of opposition speaking time' as the Sinn Féin slot was skipped and independent TDs missed their slots that were pushed forward as a result.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin TD denies 'tactical wee' after missing vote
Sinn Féin's Justice spokesperson says he missed a vote on his own amendment to the Offences Against the State Act - due to the need to answer nature's call. Matt Carthy said the Minister of State Niall Collins was able to ensure the passage of the legislation without any votes, describing the move as "petty". Deputy Carthy said these things happen, but the substantive point Sinn Féin wanted to make was that the government needed to accelerate the review into the law which he described as "outdated." Asked if it was a "tactical wee" in the words of cartoon character Bluey, Deputy Carthy said it was a tactical position on the part of the Minister of State, saying "it was an old fashioned political stroke all's fair in love and politics". "The Minister saw an opportunity to avoid a vote, and he took it." Sinn Féin has insisted that it would have abstained on the renewal of the Offences Against the State Act, but it was ultimately not put to a vote. Deputy Carthy had "stepped out" for a few minutes during the debate on the emergency measures that are renewed by the Oireachtas annually. When he returned, to an almost empty Dáil, he was told by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy that the matter had been dealt with. Mr Carthy previously said that the emergency legislation, which dates back 90 years, should not be used on an ongoing basis. He called for the the introduction of a modern legal framework to tackle organised crime and to protect jurors.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin pushes to soften proposed terrorism law
The party's justice spokesperson TD Matt Carthy said a section in the law was an 'attack on free speech' and called it a 'Kneecap' clause. The new law being brought forward by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan seeks to ban a broader range of terrorist offences as well as give effect to an EU directive. The EU directive states terrorism can be committed by the glorification of a terrorist activity. But Mr Carthy said this widening of definitions of provocation of terrorism would lead to similar cases to that of rap group Kneecap, where rapper Mo Chara is facing terrorism charges in the UK. The charges come for allegedly waving a flag of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah at a concert London last November. 'We have serious concerns about the provisions in this legislation included in the section on provocation of terrorism,' said Mr Carthy. 'Government have included a 'Kneecap' clause that could lead to charges against political activism and legitimate freedom of expression similar to the manner in which Mo Chara from Kneecap is currently facing terrorism charges in Britain. Sinn Féin will oppose any such attack on free speech. 'The provisions are too broad and open to abuse. Public provocation charges can be brought where no terrorist offence has been committed. The provisions are so broad that a person could be guilty of a terrorist offence in relation to provocation where they distribute or publish a message that could be 'reasonably construed' as inciting terrorism or that 'glorifies a terrorist activity'. This is the language used by the DUP who seek to criminalise those who attend republican commemorations.' Mr Carthy said the law would be a threat to political activism'. 'The bill before the Dáil contains similar vague language and is clearly open to similar abuse to crack down on political activism and freedom of expression rather than terrorism. As this bill stands, it is an attack on free speech rather than terrorism,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT He said Sinn Féin would bring in amendments to change the Government's proposals. 'While laws must be robust in dealing with real threats of terrorism, they should not be so broad and vague that they can be open to abuse to target political protest, political activism or to crack down on freedom of expression. Sinn Féin will not tolerate any 'Kneecap' clause within Irish legislation and we will be bringing forward amendments to delete this provision.' The new laws from Mr O'Callaghan will also ban three new terrorist offences. These are receiving terrorism training; travelling for terrorism purposes and organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of terrorism. The penalty, on conviction on indictment for all three offences, is a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years. Courts who sentence terrorists for recruiting or training terrorism to take into consideration if the crime is committed against a child.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin push to soften proposed terrorism laws
The party's justice spokesperson TD Matt Carthy said a clause in the laws is an 'attack on free speech' and called it a 'Kneecap' clause. The new law being brought forward by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will seek to ban a broader range of terrorist offences as well as give effect to an EU directive. The EU directive states terrorism can be committed by the glorification of a terrorist activity. But Mr Carthy said this widening of definitions of provocation of terrorism will see similar cases to that of rap group Kneecap, where rapper Mo Chara is facing terrorism charges in the UK. The charges come for allegedly waving a flag of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah at a concert London last November. 'We have serious concerns about the provisions in this legislation included in the section on provocation of terrorism,' said Mr Carthy. 'Government have included a 'Kneecap' clause that could lead to charges against political activism and legitimate freedom of expression similar to the manner in which Mo Chara from Kneecap is currently facing terrorism charges in Britain. Sinn Féin will oppose any such attack on free speech. 'The provisions are too broad and open to abuse. Public provocation charges can be brought where no terrorist offence has been committed. The provisions are so broad that a person could be guilty of a terrorist offence in relation to provocation where they distribute or publish a message that could be 'reasonably construed' as inciting terrorism or that 'glorifies a terrorist activity'. This is the language used by the DUP who seek to criminalise those who attend republican commemorations.' Mr Carthy said the laws, as they stand, are a 'crack down on political activism'. 'The Bill before the Dáil contains similar vague language and is clearly open to similar abuse to crack down on political activism and freedom of expression rather than terrorism. As this bill stands, it is an attack on free speech rather than terrorism,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT He said the laws should be changed and said Sinn Féin will bring in amendments to change the Government's proposals. 'While laws must be robust in dealing with real threats of terrorism, they should not be so broad and vague that they can be open to abuse to target political protest, political activism or to crack down on freedom of expression. Sinn Féin will not tolerate any 'Kneecap' clause within Irish legislation and we will be bringing forward amendments to delete this provision.' The new laws from Minister O'Callaghan will also ban three new terrorist offences. These are: Receiving terrorism training; travelling for terrorism purposes and organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of terrorism. The penalty, on conviction on indictment for all three offences, is a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years. Courts who sentence terrorists for recruiting or training terrorism to take into consideration if the crime is committed against a child.
