Ireland is on the verge of a snap election after the party that props up the country’s minority coalition government threatened to pull down the administration over a police whistleblower scandal.

The prime minister, Leo Varadkar, faces the prospect of going to the polls as early as next month, in the middle of a crucial summit on the EU, Britain and Brexit at which the stakes are high for the Irish Republic.

The prospect of an election emerged over the last 24 hours following a row about emails from the deputy prime minister, Frances Fitzgerald, into how police deal with a whistleblower alleging corruption and malpractice.

Fianna Fáil submitted a no confidence measure in Fitzgerald on Friday, which will be voted on next Tuesday.

Timeline Ireland's police scandals Show Police whistleblowers allege misconduct Then justice minister Alan Shatter receives an interim Garda report on allegations that drivers' penalty points were being cleared, with no reasons given. Two officers described as whistleblowers - former Garda John Wilson and Sgt Maurice McCabe – had raised the issue, alleging misconduct and corruption within the force. Report supports some allegations A report from the Comptroller & Auditor General supports some of the whistleblowers' allegations, finding "operational weaknesses" in the fines system, and saying the Garda had lost significant revenue from irregularities. Garda commissioner resigns Martin Callinan, then Garda commissioner, announces his retirement amid calls for his resignation, after he said he found the whistleblowers' allegations "quite disgusting". Justice minister resigns Alan Shatter, who had also criticised the whistleblowers, steps down after receiving a critical report into how his department handled McCabe's allegations. The government launches an inquiry into the scandal, led by the former high court judge, Kevin O'Higgins. O'Higgins report released The 362-page report identifies serious flaws and failures but finds no evidence of Garda criminality or corruption. It upholds many of McCabe's complaints, but also says some of his claims were overstated. The report also finds Shatter "did his work well". Another whistleblower emerges Supt David Taylor, former head of the Garda press office, says he was directed by senior officers including Callinan and his replacement Nóirín O'Sullivan to discredit McCabe. Commissioner O'Sullivan denies any involvement in the alleged smear campaign. The Disclosures Tribunal The first public investigation into the alleged smear campaign against McCabe begins, chaired by Supreme Court judge Peter Charleton. It is ongoing. More allegations of police misconduct Senior Garda officers reveal that almost one million drink-driving tests recorded by the police did not take place, and a separate error caused almost 15,000 wrongful traffic convictions. The Gardaí apologise, but the mistake could cost Irish taxpayers millions. Prime minister resigns Enda Kenny resigns after party pressure over his failure to secure a majority government in the general election in 2016 and his handling of the crises in the Irish police. Second police commissioner steps down Nóirín O’Sullivan announces her retirement, saying she had faced an “unending cycle” of investigations into the Garda Síochána. New Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, says her decision ensures the police can now focus on reforms.​ Fianna Fáil threatens snap election The party propping up Ireland’s minority coalition government submits a no confidence motion against deputy prime minister, Frances Fitzgerald, over her handling of the police whistleblower scandal. It threatens to pulls its support for the government, unless she resigns.

Varadkar, leader of the Fine Gael party that heads the minority government, has ruled out the resignation of his deputy Frances Fitzgerald. But opposition Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said Fitzgerald “should step aside in our view and that would avoid a general election”.

Varadkar met Martin in Dublin on Friday evening and agreed to further contact over the weekend to try and defuse the crisis.



The focus is on an email from May 2015, which outlined how legal teams for Nóirín O’Sullivan, then the police commissioner, and Maurice McCabe, a police officer and whistleblower, clashed at an inquiry into the latter’s allegations of police malpractice. The email related to a strategy Sgt McCabe’s supporters claim was drawn up by the police high command to discredit him.

Sinn Fein’s deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, accused the deputy prime minister of having “clearly failed in her duties” when she learned about a strategy via the email that was “so utterly malicious and designed...to ruin Sgt McCabe’s life.”

Fitzgerald had claimed that she did not remember the email, and that, in any event, she could not have legally intervened. Her defenders in Fine Gael party have said there is a judicial inquiry into the handling of the way Sgt McCabe was treated and that should be allowed to run its course.

The Irish foreign minister, Simon Coveney, on Friday said the last thing Ireland needs is a general election in the middle of crucial Brexit negotiations.

Fine Gael relies on Fianna Fáil’s support through a confidence and supply arrangement under which the opposition props up the minority government in key votes required to keep it in power. Senior sources in Fianna Fáil said the deal was “dead in the water” if Fine Gael continued to insist Fitzgerald remain in office.

Quick Guide Ireland's political parties Show Fine Gael Forged in the Irish civil war as the side that accepted the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, Fine Gael has a centre-right, pro-market and pro-European outlook. The party has two distinctive wings: a socially liberal, urban and professional base, and a rural grassroots following with strong links to the farming community. Fianna Fáil Initially comprising opponents of the Anglo-Irish treaty, Fianna Fáil is also seen as centre right. It dominated Irish politics for much of the 20th century and used to enjoy a predominantly working-class membership. An archetypal pragmatic political force, the party now has strong links to builders and property investors. Sinn Féin Once umbilically linked to the Provisional IRA, Sinn Féin has benefited enormously from the Irish peace process, with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness becoming internationally renowned political figures. The party takes a populist and pragmatic approach to economic issues. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

“There is no longer any trust. Leo Varadkar could have averted this much earlier if he had called Michael Martin in earlier this week to discuss our concerns over the leaked email. It’s 50-50 if Fitzgerald goes, only that will save us from a Christmas election,” one told the Guardian.

“But if she does fall on her sword this weekend this arrangement is only going to last a few months to let Leo negotiate Brexit in Brussels in December. There will be an election in February or March if we get through this weekend.”

Varadkar’s predecessor, Enda Kenny, resigned in May this year after coming under growing internal party pressure over his failure to secure a majority government in the general election in 2016 and his handling of the crises in the Irish police.











