The Dáil reform committee has voted to pass a controversial Government proposal on speaking rights in the chamber.
Sinn Féin has condemned the Government’s Dáil reforms as “dangerous” and “unprecedented”.It passed by 10 votes to eight, following a nearly four hour long meeting this evening.It paves the way for Michael Lowry's group of TDs to use Opposition speaking time in the Dáil, but vote with the government - with the proposal to be put to a full Dáil vote next week.
During a joint press conference of opposition party leaders tonight, Mary Lou McDonald accused Government Chief Whip Mary Butler of pushing through the vote. “The actions of Fianna fall and Fine Gael this evening are dangerous, they're unprecedented,” she said.“You know, Government has to be held to account; it's clear that this Government doesn't want to be held to account.
“They've gone to no end of trouble to accommodate Michael Lowry and his group of independents to pretend that you can be in government and opposition at the same time.”Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said reform did not mean that opposition TDs would lose out. “The proposals agreed will ensure that all backbench TDs in Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and those independents not recognised under Standing Order 170, will be able to access speaking time,” she said.“Drafting of amending standing orders will now be completed and brought to the Dáil for a vote of all members.”Main image: Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
McDonald tells Taoiseach not recalling Dáil after storm 'political negligence'Over 240,000 ESB Network customers were still without power on Monday morning, with over 100,000 told they may not have electricity for another week.
Read more »
Martin Refuses to Withdraw 'Liar' Remark, Citing Sinn Féin's 'Hypocrisy'Taoiseach Micheál Martin maintains he did not call Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald a liar, insisting he only stated she told untruths. The controversy arose from a tense housing debate in the Dáil, where Mr. Martin used Irish to describe Ms. McDonald's remarks, leading to accusations of evasion. This incident sparked a debate about the use of Irish in the Dáil and the interpretation of its meaning.
Read more »
Trump, Musk, Tariffs, and a Dáil Disruption: A Week of Headlines.This week saw a whirlwind of international news, dominated by Elon Musk's relentless pursuit of the spotlight, Donald Trump's controversial policies, and a heated exchange in the Irish Dáil.
Read more »
Taoiseach and Sinn Féin leader in Dáil row over ‘telling lies’ on housingGovernment response to housing debate ‘could have been written by ChatGPT’, Labour claims
Read more »
Sinn Féin demands Tánaiste address Dáil over Fine Gael Senator's resignationFive Sinn Féin politicians have written to Tánaiste Simon Harris demanding he addresses the Dáil regarding the resignation of Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway. Conway resigned the Fine Gael whip after being arrested on O'Connell Street last month while drunk. He was also the subject of a Fine Gael investigation in 2020 regarding an alleged incident in 2018 where he was inappropriate towards a female staff member. Sinn Féin is calling for Harris to explain the details of the investigation and answer questions about a €10,000 payment made in relation to the incident.
Read more »
Female Sinn Féin politicians ask Harris to address Dail on Martin Conway scandalMr Conway resigned the Fine Gael whip on Sunday after it emerged he had been arrested on O’Connell Street last month while drunk
Read more »