Fergus Finlay: With one stupid decision, coalition undermined itself and united the opposition

The Ceann Comhairle says the regional Independents cannot be considered part of the opposition. But many questions remain about the shoddy little deal Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael struck with them

Labour leader Ivana Bacik with party colleagues Marie Sherlock and Ged Nash looking on as Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy suspended Dáil proceedings amid the chaos on January 22 prompted by the speaking time row. Picture: Maxwells/PA

I worked for a government one time that had to deal with a huge currency crisis the day it was elected, and in pretty short order had to devalue the currency. I worked for another that uncovered a major bugging scandal on its first day on the job. Neither of those governments had an easy start, and both of them faced unrelenting opposition from start to finish.

However, I never worked for a government that made such a complete mess of its easier tasks even before it was properly formed. Not just the speaking rights row, but the crazy impression they’ve managed to create that they don’t care about the tens of thousands of people trapped without electricity and the basic necessities of life.