Opposition consider motion of no confidence in Verona Murphy amid Dáil chaos

Sinn Féin whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn said the Government and Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy
had 'colluded' with the Government to pass the changes to the standing orders.

Opposition TDs are considering seeking the removal of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy from her role after another day of Dáil chaos.

Chants of “shame” cascaded through the Dáil chamber, directed at the Government benches, as the long-running saga over parliamentary speaking rights boiled over again.

Proceedings were suspended amid tense scenes, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald saying that everything, including a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, is now on the table.

In a joint press conference, opposition leaders said the Government’s changes to the Dáil’s standing orders had “turned Irish democracy on its head” and had damaged Ms Murphy’s position as neutral chairperson of the chamber.

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, leader of Solidarity-People Before Profit Richard Boyd Barrett, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins outside Government Builings, Dublin. Picture: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA

It was the second day in two months that the Dáil was adjourned after the opposition benches objected to the Government’s handling of the long-running speaking rights row.

Asked if any of the seven opposition leaders had confidence in Ms Murphy, none declared that they had, though spokespersons for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste said that she retained the confidence of the Government leaders.

Opposition TDs said Ms Murphy had “colluded” with the Government to pass the changes to the standing orders, which will create a new speaking slot for backbench Government TDs and a handful of Independents, some of whom have supported the Government.

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The opposition parties had co-ordinated to ensure that the issue was the only one raised during Leaders’ Questions, where Ms McDonald accused the Taoiseach Micheál Martin of being “hell-bent on upending the democratic functioning of the Dáil to protect his grubby deal with Deputy Michael Lowry”.

Labour’s Ivana Bacik said the Government was trying “to create a sham Opposition, a contrivance purely to placate the Lowry lobby”.

People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barret, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

Mr Lowry would be a central character in the day, despite not speaking.

At one point Sinn Féin whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn asked how Mr Lowry could “pull the Taoiseach’s strings from across the chamber”.

Mr Martin countered that the issue was “about eight minutes twice a week” of speaking time, and an arrangement where backbench TDs would get to question the Taoiseach “once a year”.

Opposition TDs reacted angrily to this, with Ms McDonald saying he had “given his word” that an agreement would be found to the satisfaction of all parties.

Mr Martin accused the opposition of feigning anger and whipping up a disingenuous storm, a charge that led to more outrage from the opposition.

The ongoing interjections by opposition TDs were met sternly by Ms Murphy who accused them of “making a holy show of themselves” and said they “have no respect for the chair”.

As the volume rose and with opposition TDs on their feet, Ms Murphy deemed the week’s Order of Business passed, to huge dissent, and suspended the Dáil for 30 minutes, but that period did not lead to any cooling off.

When TDs returned, those on the opposition benches argued that they had not been given the chance to object to the Order of Business, but Ms Murphy refused to engage and pushed on with a vote on the Government’s proposals, a vote which passed 94-74.

Mr Mac Lochlainn said the Government and ceann comhairle had “colluded” as dozens of TDs stood, shouted, and slow clapped, with Ms Murphy opting to adjourn the proceedings of the house after just over an hour.

However, perhaps the most lasting image from a memorable day could be the sight of Mr Lowry appearing to aim a two-fingered salute at People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy.

As TDs left the chamber, Mr Murphy began filming on his phone, turning towards Mr Lowry and fellow Independent, Barry Heneghan.

While Mr Heneghan waved to Mr Murphy, Mr Lowry appeared to make a gesture before a Leinster House usher came down the stairs to ask Mr Murphy to stop filming, which is against the Dáil rules. Mr Lowry could then be seen raising the issue with an usher.

Opposition leaders seized on the image, saying that it “summed up” the Government’s approach.