Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IN THE FINAL months of the 31st Dáil, independent TD Peter Mathews has made a habit of being ejected from the chamber.
The former Fine Gael backbencher has clashed frequently with Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett over his inability to raise issues that matter to him during the Dáil’s order of business.
The Dublin Rathdown deputy was, by our count, kicked out of the Dáil at least three times in less than a month late last year.
Today, in one of the last Dáil sittings before the election, Mathews tried to raise the issue of ‘burden-sharing’.
But he didn’t get much further before he was stopped by a clearly annoyed Barrett who could sense what the game was.
He insisted that Mathews could not raise such matters on the order of business where only legislation the government is promising, and matters associated with that legislation, can be brought up by TDs.
Then, out of nowhere, Mathews claimed:
I feel I’m being bullied now.
If there was one thing that was going to annoy Barrett it was an accusation of bullying. The Dáil chair insisted: “I’m not bullying you.”
But Mathews shot back: “You are.”
Barrett promptly asked Mathews to withdraw the remark, but the independent TD refused.
There was only going to be one outcome:
Barrett asked Mathews to leave the House and, unlike previous occasions, there wasn’t much by the way of protest from the departing TD:
We could just about hear Mathews muttering “disgraceful behaviour” as he left the chamber.
With perhaps just two sitting days left, and facing an uphill battle to hold his Dáil seat in three-seat Dublin-Rathdown, that might be the last time we are entertained by the Peter and Seán show.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Barrett is an embarrassment to democracy.
what’s an embarrassment is the amount of people that don’t understand the role of the cc
You mean like Barrett?
Stinky Pete !
Deleted comments? On The Journal? Say it ain’t so!
Ah God love him. His heart is in the right place and that Barrett fool is an animal
When Matthews came back from Berlin where he reported the German Finance Committee were shocked at our real stats (debt/capita etc) FG were shcoked at him spilling the beans. They’ve had knifes out since for him. Of Course Matthews is technically correct though.
Often caught when I see these stories. On the one hand, Dail Eireann is a glorified rubber stamp. While we don’t want a US style set up where the govt can’t pass it’s own budgets or major bills and has to bribe backbenchers with pork to get them through, the Dail is the opposite extreme: you can’t ask any serious questions, the CC is not objective, there are not ACTUAL free debates (Every time someone makes a non zzzzz point they are slapped down) ZERO free votes….and yet…the being thrown out of the Dail thing is just as fake as any other political stunt, they do it on purpose, and sadly, it gets them votes.
Barrett is an Embarrassment, I can’t wait to see the back of him
Clown Comhairle Barrett gets automatically re-elected. Talk about a handy little number for being nothing more than Enda’s bouncer for 5 years!
Better to have the Westminster system where open debates are held and then voted upon, then the speaker just chairs the debates and does not interfer with what people are saying.
Wasn’t too long ago that Matthews was extolling to the nation the virtues of FG economic policy during the cutbacks. Now he’s almost as bad as Mary Lou with his “look at me” theatrics. Fcuk him out.
Electioneering at its very best! Dope!
That’s all Mathews has left, sad little stunts and tantrums.
If FG get re-elected I wonder what ministerial post Barret will get. He has done alot of good work for FG as Cc
Sure he’ll want the guaranteed seat again wont he?!?!
And good riddance. I hope the electorate have more sense next month.
Sadly Reg the electorate will not be offered the chance to comment on Barrett’s competence as he is elected automatically. A sad reflection on democracy in fairness.
I was referring to Mathews! Another one who would like religion to control our laws. As I said, good riddance.
I know but at least Mathews has to stand for re-election unlike that parasite Barrett……
I’m starting to wonder why the guy is running again at all – he clearly doesn’t want to be there!
Either that, or he seems to be completely ineffective at working the system (even if the system itself is silly and ineffective).
Barrett will be going shortly aswell arrogant whstsit rymes with dick
He’s automatically re-elected.
Barrett is a mouth and a bully i cant stick him hope he goes in the GE with the rest of his Ilk.
Showing your ignorance now – he’s automatically reelected
You could almost do with a flash warning on those gifs that the journal uses sometimes. Hugely distracting while trying to read the actual article. :-\
Dying wasps and last sting springs to mind.. Most from government benches..
You’re easily amused Hugh O Connell
Probably heard Stoke leadin
LOL
I like glue
At least Matthews isn’t just a benchwarmer like his former Fine Gael colleagues. He’s passionate and articulate about a great many things. His financial savvy would have stood FG in good stead if they could have held on to him, but Matthews is a man of principle and wasn’t to going be a stooge for Kenny.
Barrett had kicked him out twice before, no wonder Matthews was exasperated. If it wasn’t bullying it wasn’t far off it – but if you’re not left-wing I the Dáil it appears that Hugh won’t let you play the “victim” card. I suppose there’s so many lefties playing victim they kinda own the emotion. Conservatives will just have to show a stiff upper lip and just get on with it. No sympathy from The Journal for Matthews anyhow.
Is that you, Lucinda?
Quote of the week “bribe backbenchers with pork”
Your mamma…
Is Flannery in the Lowery corner for the election? Seems like a good fit.
have your say