'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.