The Taoiseach has accused opposition parties of “overreacting” to the row over Dail speaking time rights.
Micheal Martin described the reaction to the Government’s proposal for a resolution as “disproportionate”.
It came after the Government’s move to allocate speaking time to the Regional Independent TDs along with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael backbenchers was voted through by the Dail’s Reform Committee on a margin of 10 votes to eight.
The proposal will be put to a full Dail vote next week but has already been strongly criticised by opposition parties.
Opposition leaders agreed at a meeting on Thursday to withdraw their cooperation with the Government on facilitating absences of ministers in the Dail.
The Government and opposition remain completely at odds over the speaking rights for independent TDs who supported the formation of Government but did not receive ministerial roles.
Mr Martin has defended the proposal.
“I think the reaction has been very disproportionate,” he added.
“We’re looking at an extra eight minutes on Wednesday, an extra eight minutes on Thursday.
“No one in opposition loses any time at all. Some TDs who this will help might be looking at a once-in-a-year shot and asking the Taoiseach of the day a question.
“I think the whole thing has been an overreaction. I think it’s entirely disproportionate to what is actually being proposed.
“I’ve always said, in the midst of all the noise that there’s some fundamental principles here, I don’t get to decide who associates in the Dail.
“I can’t decide whether a group of independents should form a group or not..”
He added: “Historically in the past, opposition members have facilitated the formation of government, have voted for governments, and there was never any sense that they would lose whatever entitlements or rights that they have.
“The confidence and supply agreement, for example, involved the main opposition party at the time actually negotiating the programme of the government and influencing that and every single budget of that government.
“No one said at the time, well, they shouldn’t have the same rights in terms of these discussions.
“I just think we need to get on with more substantive issues, the geopolitical world is in turmoil, a lot of challenges.
“We’ve big economic challenges, potentially, on the horizon. We’ve big infrastructure issues in Ireland to sort out, we have the housing issue and so on, those are the bread and butter issues I think that matter to people.”
However, Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy claimed that the Government’s proposal seeks to turn the democratic rules and functioning of the parliament “inside out and upside down”.
“It is seriously pushing to allow Deputy Michael Lowry and his group of TDs to be part of Leaders’ questions.
“It is also trying to extend this right to backbench TDs from its own parties, who already have multiple opportunities to speak in the Dail.
“Bizarrely, the Government then wants to cut Taoiseach’s questions, which comprise the current opportunity for all TDs, including backbench Government TDs, to put questions.
“This makes it crystal clear that this is all about Michael Lowry.
“The Tanaiste and the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, have made Michael Lowry the kingmaker in their Government and now provide him with cover.
“It seems they will stop at nothing to protect Deputy Lowry and their grubby deal, they in turn to throw the Oireachtas into chaos.
“They are manipulating Standing Orders and blocking the formation of committees.
“While they focus on protecting their deal, there are big issues affecting Ireland and people’s lives.”
The leaders of the opposition have written to Mr Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris seeking an urgent meeting with the pair to work out a solution.
Asked if he will agree to the meeting, Mr Harris told the Dail on Thursday that he would not.
“We have already had a very extensive process,” he said.
“Let me agree with the deputy on one thing: the people of Ireland expect this place and the people who show up to do their work to start talking about the issues that matter to them and addressing issues around housing, special needs education and disability.
“What they certainly do not expect is this sort of immature behaviour whereby, if a democratic vote is held in a committee of this Parliament – a Dail reform committee – people do not respect its outcome.
“The only thing that actually subverts democracy is minority rule.
“We have had meetings, for dozens upon dozens of hours.
“We had a democratic vote in this Parliament of the people’s representatives and now we intend to get on with the people’s business.”
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon accused the Government of “ramming” its “undemocratic” proposals through the Dail.
“The game is up. The pretence that this Government values cross-party collaboration has been clearly exposed as a sham,” the Dublin TD added.
“Given the chance to work with the Opposition on Dail reform, the Government preferred the nuclear option.
“It is ramming through its undemocratic proposals on Dail reform at the 11th hour, all to deliver a grubby little deal for Deputy Michael Lowry and his band of Independents.
“I cannot help that it makes us and the public wonder what exactly is the leverage that Deputy Lowry has on Fine Gael and Fianna Fail that brings forth such commitments.”
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: “Contempt, arrogance, sleeveen politics and speaking out of both sides of your mouth.
“That what was on display at the Dail reform committee on the part of the Government last night.”
Keep up to speed with the latest developments with the Irish Independent’s live blog here:
Proceedings in the chamber on Wednesday afternoon were marked with a series of interjections from both Government and Opposition benches. Some of the interruptions related to a row on speaking rights which has hung over the business of the Dáil since the formation of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government, supported by independent TDs.
During questions on policy and legislation, Labour TD Alan Kelly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were engaged in a back-and-forth exchange on vetting applicants to the Garda College, despite the Ceann Comhairle indicating it was Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney’s time to speak.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy told Mr Kelly to respect Ms Gibney’s time and as Mr Martin continued to speak, she added: “Taoiseach, please stop behaving like a child.”
There were numerous objections to the comment from the Government benches, as the Taoiseach insisted he had not been interrupting. Ms Murphy said: “What we seem to have this morning is a playground, so I’d ask everybody to conform and have respect for the members whose time you’re taking up.”
Cillian Sherlock, PA
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She also said he was “dismissive” and sometimes “positively frothing with rage.” Micheál Martin and Government backbenchers laughed in response.
Ms Bacik was speaking on housing when she criticised “your dismissive attitude and your increasingly touchy attitude.”
She added: “You’re increasingly touchy, positively frothing with rage at some of the proposals. It’s true. You may laugh, Taoiseach, but it seems it’s increasingly evident.”
Mr Martin responded that Ms Bacik was attacking the idea of tax breaks for developers.
“But I want to just quote you the history of your own party on this.” He referred to comments by former Minister for Housing Alan Kelly, the leader of Labour until replaced by Ms Bacik.
Mr Kenny had spoken of creating a process for bringing in private investment in housing: “I hope to launch a new scheme in relation to investment in social housing in the near future — a new process for bringing in investors.”
Mr Martin said: “That’s your former leader, Alan Kelly, back in the days when AK-47 was firing on all cylinders.”
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‘All here have the right to speak’
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said current rules were antiquated, even if the Government was flying in the face of reason. “All here have the right to speak,” he said.
“Everybody is here on the basis of a democratic mandate, and they should have to be able to represent their constituents on an equal basis with everybody else.
“It seems to me that the Standing Orders are historic and they’re not fit for purpose at the moment.”
Richard Boyd Barrett referred to the Opposition blocking the formation of Dáil and Oireachtas committees until the row is sorted out.
“There certainly is a delay with the committees and the business of the House being stalled because of that.
“But that is solely the responsibility of the Government for trying to overstep the mark of all previous conventions and trying to muddy the waters between the Government and Ppposition for their own advantage.”
He claimed the Government was deliberately acting as it was “in order to neuter the Opposition.”
He added: “It’s not good enough for them to have a majority, to control the Dáil schedule, to have a majority in all committees, they also want to populate the Opposition benches and silence the voice, or quieten the voice of that Opposition.”
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said: “The Govenrment has it in its powers to deal with the committees issue, and that’s just about making it clear that you are either Government or you are not.”
Chief Whip Mary Butler interrupted to say however that the Dáil Reform Committee was the place to address all these issues, and it was meeting later today, as Deputies knew.
She said: “The Dáil can function and the Oireachtas Commission can be established as soon as possible once this is resolved.
“And I’m sure we’ll have a robust session later on this evening.”
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Dáil now a legislative assembly that can’t legislate – Tóibín
“The lack of Oireachtas Committees prevents TDs and Seanadóirí a key platform to hold this government to account but it also means that critical legislation cannot proceed through either the Dáil or the Seanad. The functioning of the Oireachtas is now being completely hamstrung by the government’s insistence on giving opposition speaking time to pro-government TDs.
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Opposition leaders seek ‘urgent’ meeting with Taoiseach and Tánaiste over speaking rights row
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“Everybody is here on the basis of a democratic mandate, and they should have to be able to represent their constituents on an equal basis with everybody else.
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Latest: Government rams through vote on speaking rights row as Opposition furious
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What happened this evening was an unprecedented attempt by the govt to ram through measures to dilute Opposition oversight.
It’s a return to grubby deals in back rooms between FF, FG and Independents like the Lowry Group.
This cannot and will not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/VU28RgSyah
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) February 26, 2025
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Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: “I am gobsmacked by what the Government did tonight. It makes a mockery of the Constitutional framework. It is utterly farcical, and we are very concerned.”
He said he believed the decision to push for a vote had come from “higher up.” Mr Collins said the chief whip, under questioning, could not even explain her proposals.
Mr Collins and other leaders called also for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to “come clean” about the detail of the deal they had with Michael Lowry, such was their determination in pushing through speaking rights for his loyalists in the Regional Independent Group.
– Senan Molony
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– Senan Molony
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Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the actions of the government parties tonight were “dangerous” and “unprecedented”.
– Tabitha Monahan
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He added: “The only place Government backbenchers get less speaking time than the Dáil is RTÉ’s The Week in Politics.”
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‘Time ladies and gentlemen now, please’
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‘Audible gasps from the Opposition’ when vote called
“For the first two hours of the meeting it felt like a normal meeting,” the Fingal East TD said.
“Then the meeting turned when almost out of nowhere the Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said: ‘We are not going to reach a consensus on this, I am calling a vote’.
“It led to audible gasps from the Opposition in the room. What the Government side has been trying to dodge at all these meetings, which have been difficult meetings, is they have refused to deal with the issue of the Lowry group being a designated group in the Dáil.
“It was a disgraceful end to the meeting last night”.
On the same programme, Fine Gael TD Barry Ward said: “What I recall over the last three weeks is dozens and dozens of hours of meetings when we have discussed the issues ad nauseam. We have put proposals through and there have been concessions by the Chief Whip. Not a single minute of Opposition time is being reduced.
“What it came down to last night was a desire by all of us to get back to work. The Dáil is not functioning at the moment, committees have not been set up, including the Public Accounts Committee. The proposal that this will trundle on for another few weeks is unacceptable.”
Sarah O’Mahony
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Angry exchanges in Dáil after Government forces through speaking rights vote
Mr Harris said he would bring forward the “democratic vote” in the Government-dominated Dáil Reform Committee, even as the Opposition pledged to end pairs – which could hit ministerial travel. The issue is now “closed,” he said.
At one stage Mr Harris complained: “I’m being shouted down in this democratic Parliament.”
He then turned on Sinn Féin spokesman Matt Carthy telling him: “I know you’re a bit sensitive this week, because you must be the first justice spokesperson to ever stand by the graveside of somebody who was involved in the murder of an Irish soldier and a Garda recruit – someone you call a patriot, shame on you!”
Mr Harris was referring to the funeral of Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who was charged in relation to the Derrada Wood killing of private Patrick Kelly and Garda recruit Gary Sheehan in 1983. The case, before the Special Criminal Court, collapsed in 2006.
But People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett accused Mr Harris of “despicable arrogance” and said he was continuing to display the contempt he had shown to a Section 39 worker in the course of the General Election.
Mr Harris said: “We had a general election, and the people sitting behind me in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have every right to have their voice heard.”
The Government had every right to bring forward proposals, “and I’m going to stand up for their rights on behalf of their constituents as well.”
He said it was perfectly reasonable to have a few minutes for Independents every week, but it was currently a case of “studs up, shout him down” on Leaders’ Questions.
In the next six weeks, there will be 90 priority questions to various ministers, he said. “Sinn Féin will have 47, Labour 12, Social Democrats 11 and (Government) backbenchers will have none, zero.”
“How is that fair? How is their democratic mandate any less than yours?”
Mr Harris said the Government had engaged extensively, “and let me also say we’ve moved. We had a position, and we were willing to change the position. We did not go ahead with a proposal that would have seen your Leaders’ Questions eaten into.”
Under the new proposals, “you all get the exact same amount of Leaders Questions,” he told the Opposition. “But that’s not your problem. You don’t want other people to have a right to ask their questions.”
Government backbenchers asking questions happened in PMQ (Prime Minister’s Questions) in the House of Commons every single week, he said.
“So enough of the hyperbole. We’ve heard lots of hot air and had meetings — dozens upon dozens of hours.
“We had a vote, a democratic vote, and now we intend to get on with the people’s business.”
He added, however, that the Opposition was being “utterly childish” in blocking the operation of pairs (a vote cancellation arrangement) allow Government ministers to go abroad.
Mr Carthy replied: “Don’t ask people to buy that rubbish. You might treat your own backbenchers as idiots, but you won’t take the Irish people for fools.”
He added: “This is about one man’s demands – the demands of Michael Lowry.
“But whatever you owe Michael Lowry, you owe more to the Irish people. You owe them the right to have a functioning parliament where the Opposition can hold Government to account.
“What you have attempted to do is usurp the rights of the Opposition and it won’t be tolerated.”
Senan Molony
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Minister accuses Opposition of trying to ‘muzzle’ Government backbenchers
The Fianna Fáil deputy leader said the proposal from Government would not see a significant amount of additional time added to the Dáil schedule and that it does not impact or reduce the opposition’s speaking time.
“It’s a disproportionate response. It’s an attempt by the Opposition to muzzle backbench TDs who have as equal a democratic mandate as all of the opposition,” Minister Chambers said.
“I think the fact that we’re not reducing their own speaking time, the fact that we’re adding time to the overall Dáil sitting day to actually accommodate backbench TDs and accommodate many of the TDs who currently don’t have the opportunity to raise their issues or their questions…
“They’ve as equal a mandate as the Opposition, and Minister Butler is reflecting that in the context of the reforms she’s progressing,” he added.
Tabitha Monahan
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Key updates
‘Time ladies and gentlemen now, please’
Latest: Government rams through vote on speaking rights row as Opposition furious
Minister accuses Opposition of trying to ‘muzzle’ Government backbenchers
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has accused the Opposition of trying to “muzzle” Government backbench TDs.
The Fianna Fáil deputy leader said the proposal from Government would not see a significant amount of additional time added to the Dáil schedule and that it does not impact or reduce the opposition’s speaking time.
“It’s a disproportionate response. It’s an attempt by the Opposition to muzzle backbench TDs who have as equal a democratic mandate as all of the opposition,” Minister Chambers said.
“I think the fact that we’re not reducing their own speaking time, the fact that we’re adding time to the overall Dáil sitting day to actually accommodate backbench TDs and accommodate many of the TDs who currently don’t have the opportunity to raise their issues or their questions…
“They’ve as equal a mandate as the Opposition, and Minister Butler is reflecting that in the context of the reforms she’s progressing,” he added.
Tabitha Monahan
Angry exchanges in Dáil after Government forces through speaking rights vote
Bad tempered exchanges have taken place in the Dáil, with Tánaiste Simon Harris promising to force through new Standing Orders in the full Dáil next week.
Mr Harris said he would bring forward the “democratic vote” in the Government-dominated Dáil Reform Committee, even as the Opposition pledged to end pairs – which could hit ministerial travel. The issue is now “closed,” he said.
At one stage Mr Harris complained: “I’m being shouted down in this democratic Parliament.”
He then turned on Sinn Féin spokesman Matt Carthy telling him: “I know you’re a bit sensitive this week, because you must be the first justice spokesperson to ever stand by the graveside of somebody who was involved in the murder of an Irish soldier and a Garda recruit – someone you call a patriot, shame on you!”
Mr Harris was referring to the funeral of Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who was charged in relation to the Derrada Wood killing of private Patrick Kelly and Garda recruit Gary Sheehan in 1983. The case, before the Special Criminal Court, collapsed in 2006.
But People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett accused Mr Harris of “despicable arrogance” and said he was continuing to display the contempt he had shown to a Section 39 worker in the course of the General Election.
Mr Harris said: “We had a general election, and the people sitting behind me in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have every right to have their voice heard.”
The Government had every right to bring forward proposals, “and I’m going to stand up for their rights on behalf of their constituents as well.”
He said it was perfectly reasonable to have a few minutes for Independents every week, but it was currently a case of “studs up, shout him down” on Leaders’ Questions.
In the next six weeks, there will be 90 priority questions to various ministers, he said. “Sinn Féin will have 47, Labour 12, Social Democrats 11 and (Government) backbenchers will have none, zero.”
“How is that fair? How is their democratic mandate any less than yours?”
Mr Harris said the Government had engaged extensively, “and let me also say we’ve moved. We had a position, and we were willing to change the position. We did not go ahead with a proposal that would have seen your Leaders’ Questions eaten into.”
Under the new proposals, “you all get the exact same amount of Leaders Questions,” he told the Opposition. “But that’s not your problem. You don’t want other people to have a right to ask their questions.”
Government backbenchers asking questions happened in PMQ (Prime Minister’s Questions) in the House of Commons every single week, he said.
“So enough of the hyperbole. We’ve heard lots of hot air and had meetings — dozens upon dozens of hours.
“We had a vote, a democratic vote, and now we intend to get on with the people’s business.”
He added, however, that the Opposition was being “utterly childish” in blocking the operation of pairs (a vote cancellation arrangement) allow Government ministers to go abroad.
Mr Carthy replied: “Don’t ask people to buy that rubbish. You might treat your own backbenchers as idiots, but you won’t take the Irish people for fools.”
He added: “This is about one man’s demands – the demands of Michael Lowry.
“But whatever you owe Michael Lowry, you owe more to the Irish people. You owe them the right to have a functioning parliament where the Opposition can hold Government to account.
“What you have attempted to do is usurp the rights of the Opposition and it won’t be tolerated.”
Senan Molony
‘Audible gasps from the Opposition’ when vote called
TD and Labour party whip Duncan Smith spoke about the row on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, after attending the meeting of the Dáil Reform Committee last night.
“For the first two hours of the meeting it felt like a normal meeting,” the Fingal East TD said.
“Then the meeting turned when almost out of nowhere the Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said: ‘We are not going to reach a consensus on this, I am calling a vote’.
“It led to audible gasps from the Opposition in the room. What the Government side has been trying to dodge at all these meetings, which have been difficult meetings, is they have refused to deal with the issue of the Lowry group being a designated group in the Dáil.
“It was a disgraceful end to the meeting last night”.
On the same programme, Fine Gael TD Barry Ward said: “What I recall over the last three weeks is dozens and dozens of hours of meetings when we have discussed the issues ad nauseam. We have put proposals through and there have been concessions by the Chief Whip. Not a single minute of Opposition time is being reduced.
“What it came down to last night was a desire by all of us to get back to work. The Dáil is not functioning at the moment, committees have not been set up, including the Public Accounts Committee. The proposal that this will trundle on for another few weeks is unacceptable.”
Sarah O’Mahony
‘Time ladies and gentlemen now, please’
The running of the country now risks grinding to a halt after the Government steamrollered the Opposition on giving Government-supporting TDs speaking time, writes Senan Molony.
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne said: “The public want us to get on with legislating. They are fed up with the same few opposition TDs hogging all the speaking time in the Dáil. Every TD has an equal right to ask questions and to be heard.”
He added: “The only place Government backbenchers get less speaking time than the Dáil is RTÉ’s The Week in Politics.”
Mary Lou McDonald says Government’s actions are ‘dangerous’ and ‘unprecedented’
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the actions of the government parties tonight were “dangerous” and “unprecedented”.
“[The actions] are a clear attempt to turn logic and the rules and functioning of the Dáil on their head. Government has to be held to account. It’s clear that this government doesn’t want to be held to account,” she said.
Ms McDonald said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have “gone to no end of trouble to accommodate Michael Lowry and his group of independents to pretend that you can be in government and opposition at the same time”.
“They also want their own TDs, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, to act as though they were also opposition TD’s, as though they were also in a position to hold the government to account,” Ms McDonald added.
The Sinn Féin leader said both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have gone back on their word, when they committed to finding a resolution that could be agreed by both opposition and government.
“They have unilaterally moved now to force through propositions that make, frankly, a mockery of any notion of accountability in the Dáil. This is a very disappointing situation. It is, as I say, a very dangerous situation, and it is one that we are absolutely determined as a combined opposition to face down,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald said opposition leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss the next steps, but that all options were on the table.
“We are going to resist this. All options are on the table, and at this point, we need to now go and reflect, and we need to sit down and talk to each other again,” Ms McDonald said.
“We’ll all have our own views and ideas as to where we proceed next, but what needs to be clearly understood this evening is that there is united and absolutely determined opposition to what the government have done this evening, and we’re going to reflect overnight where we hope to meet again tomorrow, and we will plan our way forward, but we’re not going to simply take this meekly,” she added.
– Tabitha Monahan
It has since emerged that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste were at separate official dinners in Dublin as the near four-hour meeting of the Dáil Reform Committee was taking place.
– Senan Molony
Opposition leaders speaking from the plinths furious over Government’s decision
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: “I am gobsmacked by what the Government did tonight. It makes a mockery of the Constitutional framework. It is utterly farcical, and we are very concerned.”
Richard Boyd Barrett of PBP and Michael Collins of Independent Ireland both suggested the Chief Whip, Mary Butler, may have received a text instructing her to guillotine the talks with a vote, but neither could substantiate the claim.
Mr Collins said he had attended every meeting and never seen “such an outrageous attack on democracy.” Mr Barrett described it as “one of the worst exercises in cynicism and sleeveen politics I have ever witnessed in many years in the Dáil.”
He said he believed the decision to push for a vote had come from “higher up.” Mr Collins said the chief whip, under questioning, could not even explain her proposals.
Cian O’Callaghan of the Social Democrats said the Government proposal was “an attempt to drown out our voices” as Opposition parties and a return to the “bad old days of grubby deals.”
Mr Collins and other leaders called also for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to “come clean” about the detail of the deal they had with Michael Lowry, such was their determination in pushing through speaking rights for his loyalists in the Regional Independent Group.
Mr Boyd Barrett said the Government action had thrown “a grenade” into political relationships at Leinster House.
– Senan Molony
Latest: Government rams through vote on speaking rights row as Opposition furious
The Government has rammed through its “solution” to the Dáil speaking rights row – only to create a new crisis as the Opposition vow non-cooperation.
Government chief whip Mary Butler called a vote after three and a half hours and used an in-built majority to win by ten votes to eight.
But she admitted the issue was not over as the Opposition vowed resistance. Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins spoke of “democracy betrayed”.
He said: “This is an absolute disgrace, and we are not having it, no way.”
Furious faces emerged from the meeting room in Leinster House to break into separate pow-wows, with even Government members appearing stern.
Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan called the pushing through of the proposals tonight as “an outrageous way to do business”.
“What happened this evening was an unprecedented attempt by the government to dilute Opposition oversight in this Dáil.
“At the Dáil reform committee this evening, the government chief whip called a vote on half-baked government proposals – most of which hadn’t even been discussed at the meeting,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“It is always the practice of the committee to consider the specific text of proposed amendments to standing orders before a vote. The government has not even bothered drafting that text.
“This is an outrageous way to do business and highlights yet again the arrogance of this Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Lowry Independent government.
“The thin veneer of debate, at the Dáil reform committee, was just a sham and the government appear determined to ram through their undemocratic proposals,” he added.
A marathon talks session over the impasse on Dáil speaking rights has thus not only failed, but made positions more entrenched.
In a statement this evening, the government chief whip welcomed the decision of the committee and said it ensures that backbench TDs from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, as well as those Independents.
“The proposals agreed will ensure that all backbench TDs in Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents not recognised under Standing Order 170, will be able to access speaking time,” Minister Mary Butler said in a statement.
“Under the government proposal there won’t be any reduction in opposition speaking time. Drafting of amending standing orders will now be completed and brought to the Dáil for a vote of all members,” she added.
Party whips met with the Ceann Comhairle and officials at Leinster House for over three and a half hours, with the positions ultimately deadlocked.
Politicians had suggested the Clerk of the Dail being asked to develop a compromise based on all the party positions for a fresh meeting next week.
But the Chief Whip demanded a vote after 8pm, amid angry words. The combined Opposition will now have to decide whether to make the Dáil unworkable.
Sinn Féin, Labour and People Before Profit reps had been increasingly pessimistic as the Government parties dug in on their counter proposal.
The Government has a majority on the Dáil Reform Committee – which can rewrite Standing Orders – and it ultimately used that leverage to ram through its own will.
There was criticism of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who suggested the creation of a new time slot for self-designating ‘Others’ in the Dáil, who would be neither Government nor Opposition.
But those ranked against him said this was intended to cover what Ivana Bacik has called “the Lowry lackeys” and to allow softball questions to Government from within Opposition time.
Michael Lowry, leader of the Regional Independent Group (RIG) was about the House as rival politicians met, but did not take part in the discussions and left before the vote.
The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, had meanwhile made it clear in a letter to TDs that it is a matter for the Dáil to draft and approve Standing Orders, and she had no intention of acting as referee. She left without comment.
The Government proposal would see pro-Government Independents given just over five minutes a week to raise issues.
But with Coalition time remaining the same, the plans were fiercely opposed by other parties, even though ultimately passed in committee.
The Opposition has indicated they will not budge on the issue, and that Government-supporting TDs – Lowry, Barry Heneghen, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae – cannot pose as Independents when they vote with the Government.
“There will be no change to Leader’s Questions from the Opposition under the Government proposal,” a Government source said.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael argue that accommodation for the RIG is coming out of Dáil time generally, not those slots ringfenced for Opposition parties to hold the Government to account.
The formation of Dáil committees is being stalled as a result of the row, with knock-on effects for new legislation.
Speaking earlier in the Dáil, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said current rules were antiquated, even if the Government was flying in the face of reason. “All here have the rights to speak,” he said.
“Everybody is here on the basis of a democratic mandate, and they should have to be able to represent their constituents on an equal basis with everybody else.
“It seems to me that the standing orders are historic and they’re not fit for purpose at the moment.”
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett referred to the opposition blocking the formation of Dáil and Oireachtas committees until the row is sorted out.
“There certainly is a delay with the committees and the business of the House being stalled because of that,” he said.
“But that is solely the responsibility of the Government for trying to overstep the mark of all previous conventions and trying to muddy the waters between the Government and opposition for their own advantage.”
He claimed the Government was attempting to “neuter the opposition”.
He added: “It’s not good enough for them to have a majority, to control the Dáil schedule, to have a majority in all committees, they also want to populate the Opposition benches and silence the voice, or quieten the voice of that Opposition.”
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said: “The Government has it in its powers to deal with the committees issue, and that’s just about making it clear that you are either Government or you are not.”
Meanwhile, the passing of laws has been delayed as key Oireachtas Committees which probe and scrutinise laws have not yet been set up.
This is because the row over speaking time has not yet been resolved.
“I do have to point out that at the moment, some bills are held up because our committee structures are not in place yet,” said Chief Whip Mary Butler told the Dáil.
“Pre-legislative scrutiny of certain bills, that will be pushed back, as a result.”
Aontú leader Peadar Tóbín said Oireachtas Committees not yet being set up is a “significant point”.
“We have currently a pinch point in terms of the opposition and the Government and how speaking time is delivered in this chamber and as a result, it is now slowing down the development of Committees, which are a major tool of oversight in relation to Government activities and necessary for the delivery for the legislative programme as well.
“We need a standing orders that reflects the multi-party system that we have that clearly defines the difference between an opposition TD and a Government TD and assigned time and speaking times on that basis,” he said.
He said standing orders, or the rules of the Dáil, are “historic and not fit for purpose”.
Opposition leaders seek ‘urgent’ meeting with Taoiseach and Tánaiste over speaking rights row
Opposition leaders are now seeking an “urgent” meeting with Micheál Martin and Simon Harris as the row over speaking rights rumbles on.
TDs from all parties are meeting in Leinster House this evening to resolve the row over Dáil speaking time which saw chaotic scenes and the delay of the Taoiseach being elected in the Dáil several weeks ago.
Opposition party leaders – namely Mary Lou McDonald, Ivana Bacik, Cian O’Callaghan, Richard Boyd Barrett and Michael Collins – took issue with Michael Lowry and his regional Independent TDs being given opposition speaking time, with opposition parties arguing that they were Government TDs.
The opposition party leaders now want an “urgent” meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste “to ensure that they honour their word as set out in the Dáil”.
The opposition accused of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of making a “unilateral move” and in a letter to the two heads of Government, as well as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, the opposition party leaders said the Government should stick by the commitment given by former chief whip Hildegarde Naughton.
Ms Naughton had told the Dáil the Government would “fully engage with the committee and work to secure agreement, as soon as possible and acceptable to Government and Opposition”.
“The government is now looking to move away from this position and to make a unilateral move,” opposition party leaders said in their letters.
They told Ms Murphy: “We are now writing to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to seek an urgent meeting with them on these matters to ensure that they honour their word as set out in the Dáil.”
Dáil now a legislative assembly that can’t legislate – Tóibín
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has questioned Minister Mary Butler, today at Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, on the progress of the Government’s legislative programme.
“Minister Butler has admitted to me today in the Dáil that the Government’s legislative programme is held up because Committees are not in place yet. We are approaching 100 days since the election and there are no Oireachtas Committees in place yet. This is outrageous. This is a disaster. The Dáil is legislative assembly that cannot legislate.
“The lack of Oireachtas Committees prevents TDs and Seanadóirí a key platform to hold this government to account but it also means that critical legislation cannot proceed through either the Dáil or the Seanad. The functioning of the Oireachtas is now being completely hamstrung by the government’s insistence on giving opposition speaking time to pro-government TDs.
“The government is awash with cost overrun scandals. TDs cannot bring former Minister Catherine Martin before the Dáil to discuss the €7m cost of the Arts Council IT system that does not exist. PAC cannot question the Department of the Arts over the 8 year old X-ray scanner that has not been switched on yet. We cannot bring the OPW before the Finance Committee to ask why they are building a wall around the Hill of Tara for the last 11 years. The Oireachtas is toothless in holding this Gucci government to account,” Peadar Tóibín said.
‘All here have the right to speak’
The row over speaking rights has surfaced again int the Dáil — only for the Government to insist that the Dáil Reform Committee is where to deal with it.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said current rules were antiquated, even if the Government was flying in the face of reason. “All here have the right to speak,” he said.
“Everybody is here on the basis of a democratic mandate, and they should have to be able to represent their constituents on an equal basis with everybody else.
“It seems to me that the Standing Orders are historic and they’re not fit for purpose at the moment.”
Richard Boyd Barrett referred to the Opposition blocking the formation of Dáil and Oireachtas committees until the row is sorted out.
“There certainly is a delay with the committees and the business of the House being stalled because of that.
“But that is solely the responsibility of the Government for trying to overstep the mark of all previous conventions and trying to muddy the waters between the Government and Ppposition for their own advantage.”
He claimed the Government was deliberately acting as it was “in order to neuter the Opposition.”
He added: “It’s not good enough for them to have a majority, to control the Dáil schedule, to have a majority in all committees, they also want to populate the Opposition benches and silence the voice, or quieten the voice of that Opposition.”
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said: “The Govenrment has it in its powers to deal with the committees issue, and that’s just about making it clear that you are either Government or you are not.”
Chief Whip Mary Butler interrupted to say however that the Dáil Reform Committee was the place to address all these issues, and it was meeting later today, as Deputies knew.
She said: “The Dáil can function and the Oireachtas Commission can be established as soon as possible once this is resolved.
“And I’m sure we’ll have a robust session later on this evening.”
The Ceann Comhairle on Tuesday wrote to members of the Standing Orders and Dáil Reform committee ahead of tomorrow’s meeting and said other matters on Dáil reform will be off the agenda so the meeting can focus solely in resolving the row.
“The issue of speaking rights has dominated the agenda for almost six weeks and it has to be resolved as a priority to ensure that Dáil Éireann can function effectively,” Ms Murphy told committee members.
The Ceann Comhairle also said that Oireachtas committees were also being prevented from being formed.
“Without this issue being resolved we cannot commence the work of the Oireachtas Committees. These committees do important work and are a central part of a proper functioning Dáil,” Ms Murphy said in her letter.
“Delays in establishment of these important parliamentary structures have implications for the legislative process in Committees, the system of accountability before Oireachtas Committees and for the proper coordination of the business of the House.”
Ms Murphy said the public “expects us to get down to business on their behalf” and in advance, asked members to “engage respectfully” during the meeting.
The row over speaking rights was ignited in angry exchanges in the Dáil this afternoon.
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik withdrew comments she made about “Lowry lackeys” in the course of the row.
It erupted after the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy announced the membership of a new Dáil Reform Committee to study the rules.
A letter to Ceann Comhairle on Tuesday signed by members of the Opposition said the group wishes to make clear their “united opposition to ongoing government efforts to force through a position whereby Michael Lowry’s group of TDs are afforded access to Leaders’ Questions and Priority Questions”.
“You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time. Neither the size of a government majority nor the consequential ability to force through a government proposition can change that democratic truth,” said the letter.
“Government manoeuvres to try and achieve this outcome are farcical, disrupt the proper functioning of the Dáil and undermine the democratic process itself.
“As Ceann Comhairle you have an important role in upholding the rules of the House so that it functions properly and fairly. As such we expect you to ensure that Leaders’ Questions and Priority Questions remain opportunities explicitly and solely for opposition TDs.”
The letter was signed by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins.
The letter was written in response to Ms Murphy who said today that the Dáil speaking row must be resolved as “a priority” as it is holding up the work of the Dáil.
However, Ms Butler said in a statement: “A modern parliament is not necessarily made up of ‘government’ and ‘opposition’ members, and there are members who can’t readily be categorised as such.
“The proposals for amendments to Standing Orders put forward by Government for discussion recognise the rights of all members including those who do not qualify under Standing Order 170.”
Earlier the Labour Party leader, Ivana Bacik, had accused the Taoiseach of being “increasingly touchy.”
She also said he was “dismissive” and sometimes “positively frothing with rage.” Micheál Martin and Government backbenchers laughed in response.
Ms Bacik was speaking on housing when she criticised “your dismissive attitude and your increasingly touchy attitude.”
She added: “You’re increasingly touchy, positively frothing with rage at some of the proposals. It’s true. You may laugh, Taoiseach, but it seems it’s increasingly evident.”
Mr Martin responded that Ms Bacik was attacking the idea of tax breaks for developers.
“But I want to just quote you the history of your own party on this.” He referred to comments by former Minister for Housing Alan Kelly, the leader of Labour until replaced by Ms Bacik.
Mr Kenny had spoken of creating a process for bringing in private investment in housing: “I hope to launch a new scheme in relation to investment in social housing in the near future — a new process for bringing in investors.”
Mr Martin said: “That’s your former leader, Alan Kelly, back in the days when AK-47 was firing on all cylinders.”
Taoiseach told to ‘stop behaving like a child’ by Ceann Comhairle
The Taoiseach has been told to “stop behaving like a child” by the Ceann Comhairle, following a series of interruptions in the Dáil.
Proceedings in the chamber on Wednesday afternoon were marked with a series of interjections from both Government and Opposition benches. Some of the interruptions related to a row on speaking rights which has hung over the business of the Dáil since the formation of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government, supported by independent TDs.
During questions on policy and legislation, Labour TD Alan Kelly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were engaged in a back-and-forth exchange on vetting applicants to the Garda College, despite the Ceann Comhairle indicating it was Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney’s time to speak.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy told Mr Kelly to respect Ms Gibney’s time and as Mr Martin continued to speak, she added: “Taoiseach, please stop behaving like a child.”
There were numerous objections to the comment from the Government benches, as the Taoiseach insisted he had not been interrupting. Ms Murphy said: “What we seem to have this morning is a playground, so I’d ask everybody to conform and have respect for the members whose time you’re taking up.”
Cillian Sherlock, PA
“What happened this evening was an unprecedented attempt by the Government to dilute opposition oversight in this Dáil,” Mr O’Callaghan said last night.
“At the Dáil reform committee this evening, the Government Chief Whip called a vote on half-baked government proposals – most of which hadn’t even been discussed at the meeting.
“It is always the practice of the committee to consider the specific text of proposed amendments to standing orders before a vote.
“The Government has not even bothered drafting that text.
“This is an outrageous way to do business and highlights yet again the arrogance of this Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and [Michael] Lowry Independent government. The thin veneer of debate at the Dáil reform committee was just a sham and the Government appear determined to ram through their undemocratic proposals,” he added.
However, Ms Butler welcomed the decision of the committee and said it ensured speaking time for backbench TDs from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, as well as the Regional Independents.
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“Under the government proposal, there won’t be any reduction in opposition speaking time. Drafting of amending standing orders will now be completed and brought to the Dáil for a vote of all members,” she said.
Party whips had met Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and officials for three-and-a-half hours, with the positions ultimately deadlocked. Some politicians had suggested the clerk of the Dáil should be asked to develop a compromise based on all the party positions for a fresh meeting next week.
However, Ms Butler demanded a vote after 8pm.
The combined opposition will now have to decide whether to make the Dáil unworkable.
Sinn Féin, Labour and People Before Profit TDs have been increasingly pessimistic as the Government dug in on its proposal.
The Government has a majority on the Dáil Reform Committee, which can rewrite standing orders, and it ultimately used that leverage to push through its own will.
The opposition has criticised Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who suggested the creation of a new time slot for “others” in the Dáil, who would be considered neither government nor opposition.
Those ranked against him said this was intended to cover what Labour leader Ivana Bacik has called “the Lowry lackeys” and to allow softball questions to the Government from within opposition speaking time.
Michael Lowry, leader of the Regional Independent Group (RIG), did not take part in the discussions, and left before the vote.
The Ceann Comhairle had made it clear in a letter to TDs that it was a matter for the Dáil to draft and approve standing orders, and she had no intention of acting as referee. She left without comment.
The proposal would give pro-government Independents just over five minutes a week to raise issues.
However, with coalition speaking time remaining the same, the plans were fiercely opposed by other parties.
The opposition has indicated it will not budge on the issue, and that government-supporting TDs – Mr Lowry, Barry Heneghen and Gillian Toole of the RIG, and Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae – cannot pose as opposition when they vote with the Government.
The formation of Dáil committees is being stalled as a result of the row, with knock-on effects for new legislation.
Speaking earlier yesterday in the Dáil, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said the current rules on speaking time were antiquated.
“All here have the rights to speak,” he said.
“Everybody is here on the basis of a democratic mandate, and they should have to be able to represent their constituents on an equal basis with everybody else.
“It seems to me that the standing orders are historic and they’re not fit for purpose at the moment.”
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett claimed the Government was attempting to “neuter the opposition”.
He added: “It’s not good enough for them to have a majority, to control the Dáil schedule, to have a majority in all committees, they also want to populate the opposition benches and silence the voice, or quieten the voice of that opposition.”
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said: “The Government has it in its powers to deal with the committees issue, and that’s just about making it clear that you are either government or you are not.”
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Larisa Klemp
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