The Dáil Standing orders and Reform committee yesterday failed to reach agreement on the allocation of Dáil speaking time. After over three hours of talks the Government Chief Whip Mary Butler TD put the Government proposal to a vote and it was approved by 10 votes to 8. The Government has a majority on the committee but had committed last month to reach a consensus on the issue.
The leaders of the opposition parties(Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Independent Ireland Group) say they will not accept the proposal that allows members of the Regional Independent Group(RIG) that are not Ministers to use Opposition Dáil Speaking Time as they have committed to support the Government in all votes. The Opposition has described the proposal as “authoritarian, farcical, grubby and dangerous.” The Government’s proposal would see regional TDs such as Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath and Government backbenchers able to put questions to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in a new speaking slot every Wednesday and Thursday.
The main opposition leaders are to meet today to decide on a course of action and have requested an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste – the opposition may refuse to cooperate with the creation of Dáil committees which could prevent the progress of new legislation. The Dáil will have to vote next week to approve the details of last night’s decision but as the Government has a majority the proposal will be approved if the vote is taken.
