A Government plan to push through changes to Dáil speaking rights has been criticised as “brazen” and “outrageous” by Opposition parties.
The long-running speaking rights row centres on Coalition efforts to carve out speaking time for a small group of Independent TDs who were involved in Government-formation talks.
Under the proposed changes to Dáil standing orders, there would be a new category of TDs known as “Other Members”.
This category would include backbenchers from Government parties but also other TDs that form groups of at least five deputies in order to avail of the new speaking rights.
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Among the Government’s proposed changes to Dáil standing orders is the introduction of a new eight-minute-long “Other Members Questions” sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
In these sessions, one TD per day in the new Other Members category would be able to pose a question to the Taoiseach or Tánaiste.
Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry spearheaded a group of Independent TDs who participated in Government formation talks. He is among those that do not hold ministerial office, including Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae, who would be able to avail of the new speaking rights.
Two Independents who did not participate in Government-formation talks, and will decide on Dáil votes on a case-by-case basis – Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan – are also expected to be part of the group that would benefit from the changes.
The Government intends to table a motion on the new standing orders to be voted on in the Dáil next week.
Acting Social Democrats leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “The Government is determined to ram through outrageous changes to Dáil speaking rights on Tuesday without any Dáil debate.”
He added: “It is completely unprecedented for any Government to refuse to facilitate a Dáil debate before a vote – especially when the Opposition are united in calling for one.”
He accused the Coalition of wanting to “upend decades of parliamentary practice and give its own backbench supporters the same speaking rights as the Opposition”.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “This is a brazen and arrogant attack on democratic norms”.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Opposition would meet to discuss the matter.
She said “any government has to be held to account” and argued that Mr Lowry and others questioning the Taoiseach would be “farcical”, adding: “You can’t be in Government and Opposition at the same time. So we’re holding firm on that point.”
Labour TD Duncan Smith accused the Government of “ramming through an outrageous change in parliamentary procedure and avoiding debate because they don’t want to be held to account”, adding: “It’s utterly disgraceful”.
A spokesman for Government chief whip Mary Butler said: “There has been hours and hours of exhaustive debate on this issue at the Dáil Committee on Standing Orders and Reform.
“The Government has proposed modest changes to the standing orders in recognition of the evolving nature of the Dáil and to respect the mandate of every elected member.”
He added: “This Government is focused on the issues that matter to people – the cost of living, housing, education, health, international trade and security.
“The Opposition, meanwhile, don’t seem too interested in these issues and is giving over airtime in the media to complaining about modest changes to the workings of the Dáil.”
