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The speaking rights row has united the Opposition. Rollingnews.ie

Opposition leaders seek urgent meeting with Taoiseach over Dáil row

Micheál Martin’s government has been accused of attempting to “force through” changes to Dáil standing orders.

THE LEADERS OF the opposition are seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach in a bid to resolve a major row over Dáil speaking rights.

Micheál Martin’s government has been accused of attempting to “force through” changes to Dáil standing orders which would give speaking time to independents who supported the formation of the coalition, as well as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail backbenchers.

A bitter row was ignited when it emerged that the government was in favour of allowing the Government-aligned independents to join an opposition technical group for the allocation of Dáil speaking time.

Opposition parties said the independents could not be allocated their time and must be recognised by the Dáil as members of Government.

Coalition figures argue that those Independents should be recognised as non-aligned to either the Government or opposition and have instead proposed new rules on speaking rights for a new grouping of “other members”.

The matter is due to come to a head in the Dáil on Tuesday.

However, the main opposition parties are seeking a meeting with Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris to resolve the dispute.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett and Independent Ireland founder Michael Collins sent the letter today.

The opposition leaders write: “Your commitment placed on the record of the Dáil on 23rd January must be honoured.

“Your commitment that any change to standing orders would be done in agreement with the Opposition was accepted in good faith.

“It is disappointing and unacceptable that you have moved away from this agreed position.

“Last month your representatives at the Dail Reform Committee collapsed the process that was under way to resolve these issues.

“You are now attempting to force through a motion bringing unprecedented changes to standing orders, which will turn democracy on its head.

“The Combined Opposition has tabled an amendment which would facilitate appropriate speaking opportunities for government TDs, including the Michael Lowry Group. Our proposal is a fair and reasonable compromise which crucially preserves the normal democratic processes of the Dail.

“You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time, these democratic distinctions must be recognised and accepted by government for our system to work. We look forward to your immediate response.”

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    Mute Tony Stamper
    Favourite Tony Stamper
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    Sep 7th 2011, 12:13 PM

    Merkel – Germany and France wanted the Euro, even though economist after economist pointed out the massive flaws in it, the fatal contradictions, benefited massively from replacing the DM with a weaker currency, leading to a massive export boon for your state.

    Your country made it, ignored the economic reality, and now you aren’t willing to accept responsibility for the mess that was always inevitable. You are playing internal German political games to benefit yourself, and taking economic decisions at an EU level, to benefit Germany alone.

    European Union – My ass!

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    Mute Sean McGrath
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    Sep 7th 2011, 12:31 PM

    Tony, you are definitely right but its up to us to play the same game which we were trying to do but we got way to far ahead of ourselves, prices went too high on everything, wages went too high, everything went too high. I can remember national news celebrating that we were spending a billion a week a few yrs ago. Can’t blame ze Germans for that or the house prices….

    One thing we can take from this debacle is that the ECB is in Frankfurt for a reason and they are only looking out for Germany and France so we need to watch our own back from now on and play a smarter game.

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    Mute Neil
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    Sep 7th 2011, 3:21 PM

    @tony

    While there’s nothing more Irish than blaming others for our problems, it’s not really Germanys fault we are in the mess we are in. And I can understand German taxpayers not wanting to bailout countries like Ireland. The Finns hate that as well.

    Finland is a small country as well, and they have the euro, and they didn’t build up a huge governement expenditure on a property bubble.

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Sep 7th 2011, 6:23 PM

    Spot on, Tony

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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Sep 7th 2011, 2:00 PM

    In the early eighteenth century, to develop its new colonies France issued a fiat currency under the guidance of the Scot, John Law. This currency was shortlived and imploded with the Mississippi bubble.
    While many people lost heavily, one canny Irishman, Richard Cantilion, pulled out of the project before its demise.
    Like Cantillon, Ireland would be well advised to consider what its best options are and not leave it too late.
    http://mises.org/daily/4709

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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Sep 7th 2011, 2:07 PM

    In the early Eighteenth century, to develop its colonies France issued a fiat currency under the guidance of Scot, John Law. This currency was shortlived and implode with the bust of the Mississippi bubble.
    Many people lost heavily. However, one canny Irishman, Richard Cantillon, who had been heavily involved withdrew before the project collapsed.
    Like Cantillon, Ireland would be well advised to see where his fiat currency project is going and not leave it too late to leave.
    http://mises.org/daily/4709

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