Further Dáil disruption expected over questioning slots for Independent TDs
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy
There could be further disruption and protest in the Dáil next week, as opposition TDs are continuing to object to government plans to give new questioning slots to coalition-supporting TDs.
Opposition sources have signalled Dáil business could be impacted in the middle of next week, following a vote of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.
People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett said he “wouldn’t rule out further disruption”, particularly during the new other members’ questions slot — which will allow Government backbenchers and the regional Independents to ask questions of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Mr Boyd Barrett said there must now be further discussion among other opposition leaders on the next steps. This meeting could happen as early as next Tuesday.
One Labour source said they expect some form of protest to take place, but that this could take the form of a walkout.
Some of the opposition have cautioned against further disruptive action, citing the work that now needs to be done within the Dáil.
A meeting of the Dáil’s business committee on Thursday confirmed that the regional group would be the first to get an other members’ question slot on Wednesday.
This slot is due to take place twice a week, with questions being posed to the Taoiseach on Wednesday and questions to the Tánaiste on Thursday.
Under the proposal from the Government, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and regional Independent TDs will get two questions in other members’ questions every three weeks.
During the meeting, opposition whips raised concerns about the ongoing delays to the establishment of Oireachtas committees.
It is understood there must first be a meeting of the Dáil’s reform committee next week before wider Oireachtas committees can be established.
This has led to speculation it could be May before any witnesses are called before TDs and senators.
It is expected that Sinn Féin will formally confirm the no confidence motion on Friday, after Ms Murphy refused to step down as Ceann Comhairle on Wednesday.
She rejected accusations of collusion with the Government, saying she has “at all times followed the correct procedures of the House”.
It will be debated on Tuesday afternoon, with the Government due to table a motion of confidence in Ms Murphy.
Sinn Féin has since written to Ms Murphy, responding to a report by the clerk of the Dáil which said that she followed Oireachtas procedures correctly during the chaos on Tuesday.
The party says that such a report is “flawed”, particularly pointing out a vote was not taken on the order of business despite calls from at least one TD for a vote to be held.
Sinn Féin says that this call can be clearly heard on a video recording of Dáil proceedings.
It comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that the ongoing row is about “much more than one person”, accusing opposition parties of trying to seek “electoral advantage” from the long-running spat.
Asked in Paris on Thursday if he feared tying part of his political legacy to Mr Lowry, Mr Martin said he was "surprised" at how the issue had been framed.
"This is not about one individual at all, and that's the way it's been framed ... it's been framed by the opposition through the lens of one personality. It's much more than that, and I've been very clear on that from the outset," he said.
Mr Martin said the independent group, which includes Mr Lowry, had wanted full access to the Dáil's leaders questions and that under the arrangement approved on Tuesday "that's no longer the case".
The Taoiseach denied reneging from a pledge to find a mutually agreeable solution to the issue.
"We kept putting forward compromises and different approaches and, in my view, the opposition didn't want to resolve this because I think they might feel there's an electoral advantage in keeping the row going."
Mr Martin called the proposal "a reasonable compromise". He said the Dáil "cannot be run based on what Sinn Féin thinks is right".
"The opposition does not get a veto."
