Opposition parties ‘overreacting’ to Dáil speaking rights proposal – Taoiseach

By Cate McCurry, PA

The Taoiseach has accused opposition parties of “overreacting” to the row over Dáil speaking time rights.

Micheál 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 Fáil 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 Dáil 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 Dáil.

The Government and opposition remain completely at odds over the speaking rights for independent TDs who ed 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 Dáil.

“I can’t decide whether a group of independents should form a group or not..”

He added: “Historically in the past, opposition 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 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 Fáin 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 Dáil.

“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 TáDnaiste 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.”