'Trench warfare': Opposition furious after Government approves speaking time plan

In a joint letter to Micheál Martin, sent just minutes prior to a Dáil reform committee meeting, opposition leaders called for a meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste as a matter of urgency

Opposition TDs try to make their point in the Dáil chamber. There were chaotic scenes in the Dáil two weeks ago amid the row over speaking rights. Picture: Flickr/Houses of Oireachtas

The Dáil's Business Committee has voted to approve a government proposal to change speaking time rules, with opposition sources accusing Chief Whip Mary Butler of "pulling the rug" after an hours-long meeting.

The committee voted 10-8 in favour of the the Government's proposal after four hours of meetings aimed at breaking the logjam over the rights of government-supporting independent TDs.

A full vote of TDs will be held during Tuesday's Dáil session, but one Labour source said that the row would now become "trench warfare" and could see opposition TDs withdraw pairing arrangements with ministers.

Another opposition source said that "everything is now on the table" for how the opposition responds.

Responding on social media, Labour's Duncan Smith labelled the vote as "contemptible behaviour" from the Government.

Earlier, Opposition leaders had sought an “urgent meeting” with the Taoiseach to resolve the ongoing speaking rights row, as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy admitted there is no consensus.

Neither Government or opposition appear to be backing down, with one Sinn Féin source saying that the “mood music is not good”.

In a joint letter to Micheál Martin, sent just minutes prior to the business committee meeting, opposition leaders called for a meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste as a matter of urgency.

“There was agreement that any changes to standing orders would be done in agreement with the opposition,” the letter reads.

It highlights that former Government chief whip, Hildegarde Naughton, read a statement into the Dáil that they would work to “secure agreement” that was acceptable to both the Government and opposition parties.

“It is not acceptable that the government are now unilaterally moving away from this agreement. Therefore we are seeking a meeting so that an agreed position can come forward,” the letter adds.

A similar letter has also been sent to the Ceann Comhairle, signed by Mary Lou McDonald, Ivana Bacik, Cian O’Callaghan, Richard Boyd Barrett, and Michael Collins.

Ms Murphy has also written to opposition leaders, setting out that she would be required to “implement and administer” any changes to Dáil rules.

Ms Murphy has also written to opposition leaders, setting out that she would be required to “implement and administer” any changes to Dáil rules. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

“To do otherwise would involve my office in political controversy which I will not, and cannot, allow myself to be drawn into,” Ms Murphy said.

The Ceann Comhairle added that she could not prevent a vote taking place, while saying that it is “clear” there is no consensus on the speaking rights issue.

Opposition TDs have flagged concerns that the Government could force a vote on controversial proposals to change speaking rights in the Dáil.

One Government source indicated earlier on Wednesday that a vote could be on the cards, with neither side likely to back down.

Government proposals tabled last week called for the introduction of specific speaking slots for the Regional Independent Group to question government ministers, including the Taoiseach.

Coalition backbenchers will also be permitted to ask questions of the Taoiseach, as part of “Other Members Questions”.

These questions would take place twice a week, with one government source saying that the Regional Independents would get just five minutes of time per week.

“So are the opposition seriously fighting over a little over five minutes a week to a grouping of Independents in a Dáil that has 8 more TDs anyway?” the source said.

Opposition TDs have flagged concerns that the Government could force a vote on controversial proposals to change speaking rights in the Dáil. File picture

At the reform committee meeting, the Government will back up its argument with research on how other parliaments deal with speaking rights for groups supporting the government.

The research picked four parliaments which typically deal with minority governments, including Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and New Zealand.

It found the presence of independent TDs “are a feature of Irish parliamentary democracy not found in the other parliaments studied”.

However, it adds fragmentation is found in all four parliaments studied, with small parties being present in each.

The research sets out that in New Zealand, government formation includes ministerial positions being offered to parties that support an executive. These positions are known as “ministers outside Cabinet” and are similar to junior ministers in Ireland.

It found in the Spanish Congreso, there is room for one “mixed group” of MPs who are not in any other party or grouping. This is similar to the Dáil’s technical group system.

In Denmark, the rules are set out that allow each parliamentary group to speak on any proposal, with any MP permitted to speak in debates.

The government will use this research to back up their argument to allow the introduction of specific questioning rights for the Regional Group.