Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has told the Dáil that a minister of State told him that the Government "isn't going to last at all".
Mr Martin criticised the way Independent Alliance TDs Kevin Boxer Moran and Seán Canney flipped a coin to decide who would become a minister of State after the Government was formed earlier this year.
Addressing Taoiseach Enda Kenny during Leaders’ Questions, Mr Martin said: "I remember asking Deputy Moran in the corridors and was it two and a half years each, to which he replied 'You must be joking, this thing isn't going to last at all. It's one year each at a time.'
Who was junior minister that told @fiannafailparty leader @MichealMartinTD coalition "isn't going to last at all"? @rtenews pic.twitter.com/bkROCDK729
— Conor McMorrow (@ConorMcMorrow) November 15, 2016
"That is not about an enhanced role for the office of ministers of State. I would take that you would disapprove of such behaviour by two Deputies albeit they're new to the House."
He said this "sheds a very bad light" on the role of junior minister.
He said that apparently at committees now the minister of State is shadowed by the TD who will take over from him next year.
"I think that is degrading of the office of minister for State."
