Bríd Smith defends opposition role in Dáil speaking rights row 

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said the row happened because of the Government’s attempt at “shutting down the opposition”. Picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

Opposition TDs have defended their role in Thursday night’s bitter row in the Dáil which lasted over two hours and forced the sitting to go on until nearly 3am.

The sitting had to be suspended on more than one occasion because of the rancour and at one point Opposition TDs staged a walk-out in protest at the Government's attempt to alter speaking times during debates.