TD rebuked over separation of powers after criticising prosecution
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Mick Barry
An opposition TD was yesterday rebuked by the Ceann Comhairle for failing to respect the separation of powers after he challenged the Tánaiste to comment on an ongoing court case.
Mick Barry, the People Before Profit-Solidarity TD for Cork North-Central, raised the case of a Limerick woman charged in connection with a protest organised in March 2021 in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.
The woman is due to appear in Limerick District Court on Friday 25 February.
Mr Barry began to criticise the director of public prosecutions and gardaí before he was interrupted by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who reminded him of the “separation of powers in this State”.
“We cannot and will not become involved in criticism of the DPP or the Courts Service,” he added.
When Mr Barry refused to sit down or withdraw the question, Mr Ó Fearghaíl continued: “We are not going to abandon the principle of separation of powers. If you have even a basic understanding of how this parliamentary democracy works, you will understand the concept of division of powers.”
Asked by the Ceann Comhairle if he wished to respond to the question, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar simply replied: “No.”
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