Irish News Government and Opposition Clash Over Dáil Speaking Rights

A major political standoff is brewing between the Coalition and Opposition parties over the contentious issue of speaking rights in the Dáil.

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to grant Independent TDs who support the Coalition high-profile speaking slots each week. However, Opposition parties strongly oppose the move and have threatened to withdraw cooperation on setting up Oireachtas committees if it goes ahead.

Ongoing Deadlock Over Speaking Rights​

The dispute already disrupted Micheál Martin’s nomination as Taoiseach last month and now threatens to derail future parliamentary work.

Efforts to reach a compromise will resume at the Dáil Reform Committee this afternoon, but hostile exchanges between both sides suggest that a resolution remains unlikely.

Ceann Comhairle Calls for Focus on National Issues​

Yesterday, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy urged both sides to focus on the "serious issues" facing the country rather than parliamentary disputes.

However, the leaders of five Opposition parties have insisted that Leaders’ Questions and Priority Questions should remain exclusively for Opposition TDs.

Opposition Threatens Retaliation​

Labour TD Duncan Smith warned that if the Government pushes ahead with its plans, the Opposition could withdraw cooperation on forming Oireachtas committees and take further measures to resist the changes.

Government Stands Firm​

Despite these warnings, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler reaffirmed last night that the Coalition will not back down.

"A modern parliament is not just made up of Government and Opposition. We must also recognise the rights of all members, including Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers," she said.

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With neither side willing to compromise, the dispute over Dáil speaking rights appears set to intensify, raising concerns about potential gridlock in the Oireachtas.