Speaking rights row is the death knell of post-2016 'new politics'

Measures that were introduced to improve citizen voices in democracy after the economic crash are now largely being ignored

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy speaking in the Dáil chamber in Dublin.

THIS WEEK saw the culmination of the speaking rights drama result in the first-ever motion of confidence in a ceann comhairle. This was easily carried by Government and Government-supporting TDs, but it may also represent a final blow to the legacy of new politics.

‘New politics’ was the term given to the sweeping 2016 changes to the political system in the wake of the financial crash, to give a minority Government a mandate and structural support, and to get them through five years of power.