Opposition rejects Government plan to grant regional independents special speaking rights

Sinn Féin whip Pádraig MacLochlainn said that the Government is attempting to 'stifle' the Opposition

(Left to right) The new Government Chief Whip Mary Butler with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Ms Butler said: 'A modern parliament is not necessarily made up of ‘government’ and ‘opposition’ members, and there are members who can’t readily be categorised as such.'

The opposition has strongly rejected a government proposal to introduce specific speaking slots for the Regional Independent Group to question ministers, calling it “utterly unacceptable”. 

In a joint statement, opposition leaders described the move as “yet another cynical attempt to manipulate speaking time in order to grant special privileges to TDs who were part of negotiating the Programme for Government and clearly and unambiguously support the government.” 

“They are not ‘other’, they are not ‘unaligned’, they are government TDs,” the statement continued, adding that the proposals would “make a mockery of the functioning of the Dáil”. 

The statement was signed by the leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and Independent Ireland.

A row about speaking rights in the Dáil is set to flare up again as the Government moves forward with the controversial proposal. 

The submission from Chief Whip Mary Butler to the Dáil’s reform committee calls for the introduction of “Other Members Questions”, which would allow the Regional Independents to question the Taoiseach in the chamber.

Under the proposal, questions to the Taoiseach would be “brief” and permitted on two days per sitting week.

The proposal comes in response to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy’s ruling that the Regional Independent Group—which has pledged support for the Government—could not form a technical group as part of the Opposition. 

However, the Government is now seeking to classify these TDs as “other members”.

“A modern parliament is not necessarily made up of ‘government’ and ‘opposition’ members, and there are members who can’t readily be categorised as such,” Ms Butler’s submission states.

The proposal has been met with significant backlash from the Opposition, with Sinn Féin whip Pádraig MacLochlainn calling it “outrageous”.

“We’re back worse from where we were,” Mr MacLochlainn said, arguing that the proposal would allow Government-supporting TDs to essentially access Leaders’ Questions. “What has been traditionally the place of the Opposition, they will insert their government TDs,” he added.

“The Opposition is going to unite on this. It’s outrageous… It’s going to be a massive row.” The Donegal TD further accused the Government of attempting to “stifle” the Opposition, saying the move was unprecedented within the Dáil.

Labour whip Duncan Smith echoed these concerns, stating that while the proposal had been discussed in previous reform committee meetings, the parties remain deeply divided. 

“I think we’re facing a tricky meeting next week, as we’re still as far apart,” Mr Smith said.

Ms Butler’s proposal also includes a provision to increase the number of priority questions to six, giving the Regional Independent Group an additional opportunity to question ministers. 

Additionally, the Government is seeking to reduce the time allocated to Taoiseach’s Questions, which currently takes place on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The new plan would limit Taoiseach’s Questions to one day per week while maintaining the 45-minute duration.

Fianna Fáil TDs have also voiced frustration over speaking time distribution, with some backbenchers advocating for more time for Government TDs, arguing that Opposition TDs currently receive more prime-time speaking slots.

With all parties and groups invited to contribute suggestions for Dáil reform, the Social Democrats have proposed requiring TDs to declare their liabilities and income levels from second jobs. 

However, the debate over speaking rights is expected to dominate next week’s reform committee meeting, setting the stage for a heated confrontation between Government and Opposition forces.

Tonight, Mary Butler again defended the proposals, saying that the Dáil is an "ever evolving parliament" and this means that the rules of the parliament must change.

"In approaching the issue of Dáil reform, the government is mindful of the collective need to arrange the business of the Dáil and produce a schedule that respects the mandate of each and every TD elected to it," Ms Butler said.

Ms Butler said that the proposals from the government aim to "recognise the rights of all members".

"The government believe the best way to address changes to Standing Orders, is within the Dail Reform Committee, and this process should be respected," Ms Butler said.

"It is imperative that the Dáil can function, and the Oireachtas Committees can be established as soon as possible."