Small parties demand increased Dail privileges

A number of small political parties are in talks with Government chief whip Mary Hanafin today to demand increased Dail speaking time and the same privileges as the larger parties.

Under Dail rules, a political party must have at least seven seats to be entitled to priority questions, speaking time and other privileges. This has angered the smaller parties and has led to disruption in the Dail on several occasions in recent weeks.