Mr Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) called for a realignment in Irish politics.
"The potential for real and effective opposition resides in the parties of the broad left in the Dáil, Sinn Féin, Labour, the Green Party and progressive independent deputies. Together they outnumber the Fine Gael deputies."
Mr Ó Caoláin said there was a myth that the Opposition parties were "all in it together" against the Government. "We in Sinn Féin have never subscribed to that. We make our judgment based on the policy and the record of the parties in this House in and out of government."
He was speaking during the resumed debate on the Fine Gael Private Members' motion calling for the suspension of the payment of the remaining phases of benchmarking. Describing the motion as "extraordinary", Mr Ó Caoláin said it was calling upon the Government to renege on an agreement it had made with workers in the public service. "If the Government were to adopt this approach, it would be tearing up the Sustaining Progress Agreement." The Government defeated the motion by 93 votes to 20.
