Opposition push to raise quorum of TDs in Dáil chamber from covid-era low

The quorum of TDs in the chamber had been set at 20 for many years - or 10 for Private Members Business - but was revised downwards during the covid era to allow for just five TDs to be in the chamber. File photo: Laura Hutton/RollingNews.ie

Opposition TDs are pushing the Government to change Dáil rules which allow the chamber to sit with just five deputies present.

The quorum of TDs in the chamber had been set at 20 for many years — or 10 for Private Members Business — but was revised downwards during the covid era to allow for just five TDs to be in the chamber. This was done to allow for social distancing.

At the beginning of February, the Dáil voted to continue this arrangement, which allows Dáil business to be done with just five of the 174 TDs present. It is understood that the issue has been raised at the Dáil Business Committee, with opposition TDs calling for the quorum to be raised back to 20.

TDs are entitled to ask for a quorum to be called, but this is rarely used. Last week, during statements on Seachtain na Gaeilge, Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness asked for the quorum bell to be rung because he and minister for social protection Dara Calleary were the only TDs in the chamber. 

While the Dáil record says that 20 TDs were counted as being present after a short bell, video of the session shows the resumption of the statements after the arrival of three more TDs, while more would arrive as the statements continued.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said the lower quorum was "resurrected to shield ministers and backbenchers from scrutiny".

“For a government that has done next to nothing in eight weeks, this is their sole focus — weakening accountability and avoiding presence in the chamber,” Mr Collins said.

“Instead of facing the opposition, instead of ensuring full parliamentary scrutiny, they are clinging to an expired pandemic measure and avoiding the setting up of committees so they can ram through legislation without proper scrutiny or have their members show up to the Dáil.”

Speaking time

Opposition sources said they would push chief whip Mary Butler to increase the quorum, but a spokesperson for the minister said the issue had been dealt with and Ms Butler's focus is "on resolving the speaking time standing orders, getting the committees established and up and running and getting more legislation through the Oireachtas".

Asked about the ongoing speaking row, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he "has very strong views" about the opposition's withdrawal of pairing arrangements with ministers. 

"The idea that any minister, or even our Taoiseach wouldn't be given permission to not be in the Dáil to represent our country abroad, is childish, is irresponsible and is against our national interest."