Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said that there must be a general election called to elect a Taoiseach with a mandate from the people.

Speaking today, Teachta O’Reilly said:

“A fortnight ago, Leo Varadkar resigned as Taoiseach and as leader of Fine Gael.

“Today, Simon Coveney, Fine Gael’s deputy leader, announced that he is stepping down from cabinet.

“Despite this, those in government want to continue on as normal, and elect a Taoiseach who has no mandate from the people.

“Simon Harris has sat at the cabinet table for eight years as house ownership collapsed, as rents sky rocketed and as our health system crumbled.

“He is part of a government that is out of touch, out of ideas and out of time.

“People don’t want more of the same. They want change, and it is time for new people with new ideas.

“We need a fresh mandate and a new government, and we need a general election now.”