Government accused of 'sleeveen politics' after passing speaking time proposals

The issue has rumbled on for weeks with the opposition united against government proposals which would carve out time for questions from both regional independents and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers. 

Opposition leaders have accused the Government of "cynicism" and "sleeveen politics" as it passed its own proposals for changes to Dáil speaking time rights.

The issue has rumbled on for weeks with the opposition united against government proposals which would carve out time for questions from both regional independents and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers. 

The Dáil Reform Committee voted on Wednesday 10-8 in favour of the Government's proposal after four hours of meetings aimed at breaking the logjam.

Speaking at Leinster House after the meeting had finished, leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, Independent Ireland and People Before Profit all hit out at the Government, particularly Chief Whip Mary Butler, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. 

The leaders will meet on Thursday to decide a concrete response to the Government's move, but Ms McDonald said that "everything is on the table", including walkouts and stopping the formation of Oireachtas committees.

Asked if the Government's actions meant "war", People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett said that it was "instigated by the Government". 

Mr Boyd Barrett also accused the Government of "one of the worst exercises in cynicism and sleeveen politics on the part of the Government that I have ever witnessed in all my years".

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the Government's actions were "dangerous, unprecedented [and] a clear attempt to turn logic and the functions of the Dáil on their head". She said that the Government "does not want to be held to account" and had "gone to no end of trouble to accommodate Michael Lowry". 

She said that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste had "given their word" that any changes would be supported by government and opposition.

Under the proposals, 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 five minutes of time per week.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins called the move "an outrageous attack on democracy" and said that Ms Butler had not been able to answer his questions on the Government's own proposals.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said that she was "gobsmacked" by the Government's decision.

In a statement, Ms Butler said that the proposals "will ensure that all backbench TDs in Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents not recognised under Standing Order 170, will be able to access speaking time".

The plan will be voted on next week in the Dáil.