Opposition parties ditch pairing arrangements with Government TDs amid rule change row

(Left to right) Cian O'Callaghan, Michael Collins Ivana Bacik, Mary Lou McDonald and Richard Boyd Barrett outside Leinster House last month. On Wednesday night, the Dáil’s reform committee voted to approve a proposal to change speaking time rules that will see extra questioning time for Government backbenchers and Regional Independent TDs. File picture: Sam Boal / Collins Photos

Opposition parties will no longer facilitate pairing arrangements with Government TDs, as the backlash to Dáil rule changes heats up.

The leaders of opposition parties met on Thursday morning to discuss the response to the rule changes, with a further call for a meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to resolve the matter.

However, an agreement was reached at the meeting to immediately suspend all pairing arrangements with the Government. Dáil pairing arrangements are typically arranged between the Government and Opposition in the case of ministerial absences from the Dáil.

On Wednesday night, the Dáil’s reform committee voted to approve a proposal to change speaking time rules that will see extra questioning time for Government backbenchers and Regional Independent TDs.

The committee voted 10-8 in favour of the Government's proposal after four hours of meetings aimed at breaking the logjam. A meeting of the Dáil’s business committee is due to take place at 11am, with attending opposition whips expected to protest the rule changes.

However, it is not yet clear when these rule changes will come into effect, with a requirement for a vote in the Dáil to change Standing Orders. A motion on such a rule change needs to be drafted by the Government first before a vote can take place.

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On Wednesday night, the Government was accused of “cynicism” and “sleeveen politics” after passing the proposals at committee.

Under the proposals, coalition backbenchers will 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.

In a statement, Government chief whip Mary 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".

'Overreacted'

The opposition has "overreacted" in a row over Dáil speaking rights, the Taoiseach has said.

Speaking in Shannon, Micheál Martin said that the opposition would "lose no time" under the proposals approved by the Dáil Reform Committee on Wednesday night.

"I think the whole thing has been an overreaction. I think it's entirely disproportionate to what is actually being proposed," he said.

Mr Martin added that he does not tell individual TDs what groups they can and cannot be in.

"I just think, just think we need to get on with more substantive issues," Mr Martin said.

'Muzzle backbench TDS'

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers has said the opposition is attempting to "undemocratically muzzle backbench TDs."

He described the opposition's response to "essentially adding 20 minutes" to a 12-hour Dáil day as extraordinary and disproportionate.

"I think they need to reflect on the actual amount of time that we are talking about," said Mr Chambers.

"The fact that we are not reducing the opposition’s speaking time, but rather adding time to the overall Dáil sitting day to accommodate backbench TDs—many of whom currently do not have the opportunity to raise their issues or questions—should be acknowledged."

Finance minister Paschal Donohoe clarified that Michael Lowry and the other Regional Independent TDs are not considered Government backbenchers.

Mr Chambers stated that Mr Lowry is not the issue, despite the opposition "trying to make it about Michael Lowry."

"This is simply an additional reform, similar to changes made in the last Dáil, designed to create a more balanced approach to the overall allocation of speaking time."

"What Minister Butler is doing as Government chief whip is extending the Dáil day to accommodate an expanded Dáil, ensuring that backbench TDs can contribute and speak on behalf of their constituents—the hundreds of thousands of people who voted for them," said Mr Chambers.