Government trying to 'frustrate' opposition efforts to hold ministers accountable, Sinn Féin leader says
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald: 'This row isn’t actually about speaking time for Government members or Government TDs. This is all about the Government not wishing to be held fully to account.' Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has accused the Government of blunting the powers of the opposition, as party leaders submit new proposals to tackle the long-running Dáil speaking row.
TDs are set to vote on changes to the Dáil’s rules next week, with the Government’s proposals seeking to add new questioning slots to coalition backbenchers, as well as Michael Lowry’s Regional Independents.
The plan sparked a weeks' long row over Dáil reform, with the opposition repeatedly rejecting the change to existing standing orders.
A motion on the change is to go before the Dáil on Tuesday, before a full vote on the proposal on Wednesday evening.
In Belfast, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the combined opposition’s amendment would deal with speaking rights, by making the Regional Independents official Government backbenchers.
“The Government claim that they simply want to make room for Michael Lowry and his colleagues, for other Government colleagues on the backbenches to have an opportunity to speak,” Ms McDonald said.
“Our amendment solved that problem for them but I suspect that the Government will reject our amendment.
“This row isn’t actually about speaking time for Government members or Government TDs. This is all about the Government not wishing to be held fully to account.”
Proposals from the opposition would see Mr Lowry’s group of TDs permitted to form a group in Government, after they were refused the right to do so in opposition by the Ceann Comhairle.
Ms McDonald said the Government was attempting to “frustrate or blunt” the efforts of opposition parties to hold ministers accountable.
“We have the ongoing farce of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael trying to make believe that you can be in Government and opposition at the same time. You cannot,” Ms McDonald said.
Sources in the opposition indicated the Government formally bringing a motion to change rules to the Dáil next week would lead to a row.
One TD said it was likely there would be a “bust-up” over the change.
The Sinn Féin leader confirmed opposition party leaders would remain in contact over the weekend, before meeting early next week to decide on a joint approach.
Earlier this week, there were terse exchanges in the Dáil over the plan, with Sinn Féin accusing the Coalition of doing nothing while the Oireachtas remains in “cold storage”.
In particular, criticism was levied due to the lack of Oireachtas committees, which are yet to be formed amid the speaking row.
The Taoiseach, however, suggested work can continue without committees, with legislation instead being entirely scrutinised within the Dáil and Seanad.
