Micheál Martin accused of trying to 're-open' speaking rights debate

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also announced her party's new spokespeople. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photo

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has accused Taoiseach Micheál Martin of attempting to “reo-pen” debate on Dáil speaking rights, despite rulings from the Ceann Comhairle earlier this week.

Ms Bacik said she was concerned about Mr Martin’s response to a letter from the combined opposition last week, after it was ruled that the Regional Independents could not sit as a technical group.

In his letter, Mr Martin said that while he “fully” respected the ruling of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, he added that it “still leaves a number of other matters unresolved”.

“Each member of Dáil Éireann has been democratically elected to represent their constituency with the freedom to align themselves with any group or none including how and when they express their democratic support or opposition to the Government,” Mr Martin wrote.

“It is incumbent on the Dáil Reform Committee to ensure that the standing orders change to reflect the evolving nature of democracy and politics in Ireland in a fair and inclusive manner.” 

Speaking to reporters at Leinster House, Ms Bacik said Mr Martin had taken an “unfortunate tone”.

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“That re-opens a question that I think is decisively answered by the Ceann Comhairle’s ruling earlier this week,” Ms Bacik said.

Mr Martin’s letter comes amid a push from his own backbenchers for Government TDs to get additional speaking time, particularly on issues like private members motions and priority questions.

Asked if she would be willing to accommodate such measures, Ms Bacik said she wanted the Government to reach “sensible arrangements” on the matter.

However, she said the Opposition has been “absolutely clear” that there is a constitutional role for the opposition parties and groups in holding the Government to account.

“You cannot fudge or blur the lines between government TDs and opposition TDs,” Ms Bacik added.

New frontbench

The Labour leader made the comments as she announced her new frontbench spokespeople, with new Cork North Central TD Eoghan Kenny set to shadow Helen McEntee in the education and youth brief.

Longstanding TD Alan Kelly will cover justice, while Duncan Smith will be responsible for foreign affairs, trade and defence.

Louth TD Ged Nash will take over finance and public expenditure, while Ms Bacik will relinquish responsibility for housing to Limerick City TD Conor Sheehan.

The full list of Labour spokespeople is as follows:

• Ivana Bacik - Party Leader, Northern Ireland 
• Ciaran Ahern – Climate, Environment and Energy; Transport 
• Alan Kelly – Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 
• Eoghan Kenny – Education and Youth 
• George Lawlor – Enterprise, Tourism and Employment 
• Ged Nash – Party Chairperson; Finance; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation 
• Rob O’Donoghue – Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport; Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine 
• Conor Sheehan – Deputy Whip; Housing, Local Government and Heritage 
• Marie Sherlock – Health 
• Duncan Smith  – Party Whip; Foreign Affairs and Trade; Defence 
• Mark Wall – Social Protection; Children, Disability and Equality 
• Senator Nessa Cosgrove – Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Workers’ Rights 
• Senator Laura Harmon – Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Disability 
• Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP – Dublin Spokesperson