Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has called on the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris to address the Dáil and answer questions on his party’s investigation into Senator Martin Conway’s inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member.

Deputy O’Reilly also criticised both the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly for not facilitating the repeated requests from the opposition for Simon Harris to address the matter this week.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“Sinn Féin wrote to both the Tánaiste and the Ceann Comhairle requesting that time be set aside for the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris to address the Dáil and answer questions on his party’s investigation in Senator Conway’s inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member.

“These requests have been declined and, worse still, on each occasion we have sought to raise this issue in the Oireachtas, we have been shut down in both the Dáil and Seanad.

“On three separate occasions, I and my colleagues Joanna Byrne and Mairéad Farrell attempted to raise these questions in the Dáil but the discussion was not facilitated by the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

“The same approach was taken by Cathaoirleach Mark Daly who intervened and cut her short when Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack sought to raise the issue in the Seanad.

“This raises questions about transparency and accountability in the Oireachtas, especially concerning the handling of serious allegations by a party of government.

“Government parties should not get special treatment; our request for clarity from the Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris remains unanswered.

“It is a matter of public record, as reported in the Irish Independent, that Senator Conway donated €10,000 as part of an apology for alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member; this suggests that the allegation was serious.

“It has also been reported that there has been serious disquiet within the Fine Gael party as to why Senator Conway was allowed to run for election for the party, again pointing to the allegations being of a serious nature.

“I therefore repeat my party’s call for Simon Harris to inform the public who knew what and when, so that the public can have confidence in Fine Gael having the correct protection procedures in place to deal with such serious matters.

“I also urge the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly to facilitate this request.

“Simon Harris must answer: Who was the €10,000 given to? Why was that route taken? What disciplinary action was taken against Senator Conway, and does the Tánaiste believe it was appropriate for Fine Gael to select Senator Conway to stand again for public office in the recent Seanad elections?”