Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been called on to make a statement to the Dáil on a former party press officer who has pleaded guilty to child sex offences.
It has also emerged that two Sinn Féin officials provided a reference for their former colleague.
The Taoiseach has described the developments as “deeply disturbing”.
Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley resigned as Sinn Féin press officers on Saturday, days after it emerged that they had given references for former colleague, Michael McMonagle, for a job at a charity in 2022.
Last month, McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Co Derry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
There were interjections in the Dáil this afternoon ahead of Leaders’ Question as Fine Gael TDs called on Ms McDonald to provide an explanation on the matter.
Galway East TD Ciarán Cannon asked for “time to be urgently set aside for Deputy McDonald to make a statement on the issue … and the furnishing of character references for that person by members of Deputy McDonald’s team”.
“It’s crucial that these questions are answered in a timely fashion,” he said.
Pointing to the Sinn Féin benches, fellow Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said the opposition party “regularly” brings issues to the attention of Government that are deemed urgent.
He said this issue is time sensitive and important and it should be addressed this week.
“Deputy McDonald has a track record of ignoring this House and not making statements when they are required, she has done it before and I think she should take the opportunity to make a statement on this because it affects the behaviour of her party,” Mr Brophy said to significant heckling and interjections from the Sinn Féin benches.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl stated that the business of the Dáil had been arranged last week.
Mr Cannon then asked that it be considered for next week.
Speaking to journalists, Taoiseach Simon Harris described the issue as “deeply disturbing” and agreed that Ms McDonald has questions to answer.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of our children.
“All of us have to apply the same standards in our organisation that we would demand on the floor of the Dáil be applied of others.
“What we are reading and learning in real-time is deeply disturbing, deeply disturbing.
“The idea that any individual under investigation for sexual crimes against children would find themselves working in another organisation that has contact with children, without that organisation being aware, is deeply concerning,” Mr Harris said.
