The Dáil today heard calls from Sinn Fein, Labour and the Social Democrats for the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, to consider her position as Ms Murphy chaired the session. Mary Lou McDonald, Ivana Bacik and Cian O’Callaghan have accused the Ceann Comhairle of failing to be Independent and impartial in performing her duties in chairing the Dáil as required. It’s understood the Ceann Comhairle has until the end of the week to “step aside” or the Opposition will pose a motion of no confidence
The Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, rejects criticism of the Ceann Comhairle but did say the two fingered gesture by Deputy Michael Lowry in the Dáil yesterday was wrong and says Deputy Lowry should apologise to the Dáil. Opposition TDs have again asked the Taoiseach to clarify the details of the agreement with Deputy Lowry and to outline why the Government will change procedures to secure the support of Deputy Lowry and the Regional Independent Group. The Taoiseach rejected suggestions that Deputy Lowry has a hold on the Government and says the Regional Independents were the only group serious about entering Government formation talks.
In a statement today Deputy Lowry says he made an errant gesture under provocation which he claims is being taken out of context. Deputy Lowry says unlike others he has always respected the rules and values of the Dáil. Deputy Lowry adds that the gesture was not intended to be offensive or to cause offence and that he regrets that it may have been seen in such a way. The Dail passed a motion in 2011, without a vote, calling on Deputy Lowry to voluntarily resign his membership of Dáil Éireann.The all-party motion noted the final report of the Moriarty Tribunal, and said the conduct set out in the report was ‘completely unacceptable for a member of the House’
