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LAST UPDATE | 26 Mar
OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE expected to tell Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy that they no longer have confidence in her in the Dáil chamber this afternoon.
It was agreed at a meeting of leaders from the opposition this morning following the disruption in the Dáil over controversial speaking time changes yesterday.
The opposition party representatives will also consider their response to the disorder in the Dáil yesterday, ahead of the resumption of proceedings today, after a vote to introduce a new speaking slot for government backbenchers and independent TDs.
Members of the opposition were standing on their feet to protest the vote. As a result, Murphy suspended the House, which was ultimately adjourned, with no vote taking place on yesterday’s Order of Business—a move that infuriated the opposition.
Any conclusion will be put to parliamentary parties before midday.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said he would be cautious to move too quickly to state no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, despite sharing anger over the vote yesterday, arguing that the circumstances in the Dáil would not have benefited anyone.
He added that expressing no confidence in Murphy would not “fix the situation”, laying the blame on the government. He said more attention needs to be placed on holding government accountable for the vote, rather than “mistakes” of a third party.
Murphy has yet to appear in front of TDs in the Dáil today, where debates got underway without disruption shortly after 9am.
There were chaotic scenes of shouting, interruptions, rude gestures and allegations of misogyny yesterday, as weeks of tension over the speaking rights row boiled over during Leaders’ Questions.
The motion, which was aimed to an end to the speaking rights row, sparked shouting and disorderly scenes in the chamber after the opposition said due procedure was not adhered to by Murphy.
The Dáil voted 94 to 74 to pass the controversial rule change, which changes how speaking rights are divided up. The opposition have contested the ratification of the vote.
Members of the opposition were standing on their feet to protest the vote. As a result, Murphy suspended the House, which was ultimately adjourned, with no vote taking place on yesterday’s Order of Business—a move that infuriated the opposition.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman told RTÉ’s Late Debate last night that the leaders would discuss how the opposition would proceed, as well as the role of the Ceann Comhairle.
Throughout the back-and-forth between TDs and the Ceann Comhairle, Murphy repeatedly pointed out that it was evident many in the House did not show respect for her, as she instructed them to take their seats and remain silent.
In a show of unity, the leaders of all Opposition parties held a joint media conference on the plinth of Leinster House yesterday evening – where they claimed the Government and Ceann Comhairle had worked in concert to push through changes in the standing orders that would give two eight-minute speaking slots to a new group of “other TDs”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris described the scenes in the Dáil yesterday as “unseemly and unbecoming”. Speaking to reporters in Lebanon, where he is visiting Irish peacekeepers, Harris said that people watching the chaos unfurl “would be very disappointed”.
“To see adults standing up shouting and roaring and hooping and hollering isn’t anything you don’t want to see in any workplace, at least, least of all the Dáil”, Harris said.
He also described Michael Lowry’s rude two-finger gesture to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy as “unbecoming”, but added that “it wasn’t as isolated incident”. Harris added that TDs need to “get on with” their work after the incident yesterday.
“There isn’t agreement – there’s no point pretending there is. We have had a vote in the Dail, the people’s representatives have spoken, and we need to get on with doing the work.”
Junior Transport Minister, and Lowry ally, Seán Canney claimed not to have seen what had taken place - despite an image of Lowry’s two-figure gesture being widely published on the front pages of national newspapers today – when speaking to RTÉ News.
“What I would say is that [the image of Lowry's gesture] is a caption in a moment,” he told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland.
“If you were in the Dáil chamber yesterday and people had phones in your face, videoing you against all the rules of the House – I don’t know what happened, and I won’t comment on that.
“This is not about two fingers,” Canney added. “This is about the fact that we have people elected to the Dáil. We have a majority in the Dáil and what we need to do is get on with our business.”
Additional reporting from Christina Finn and PA
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It is unseemly behaviour in our parliament, but most of the blame has to be shouldered by FF/FG, Murphy was appointed as a sop to Michael Lowrys independents, one more post with perks n pay, and the speaking time arrangements are outrageous and would not be acceptable to either FF/FG if they were in opposition, Lowry has unacceptable history and should be isolated in the Dail by the main parties if the Tipp electorate keep sending him back
@Patrick Creaven: Dail floor littered with baby rattlers and soothers.
@Patrick Creaven: read what u wrote, if Lowry is elected by the People of Tipperary he has every right to be in the Dail same as any other TD I can’t go Lowry but he was voted in
It would be easier to figure out the third secret of Fatima, than to decipher the secret deal Lowry has made with this government.
The whole thing is a farce and a disgrace to be honest.
Everyone of them should be ashamed of themselves.
I watched the video, you wouldn’t see it in a playground.
As for Verona Murphy, she was playing up to the camera’s as she mentioned on numerous occasions that she was aware she was being recorded.
She is aligned to the Government no matter what anyone says, therefore she’s compromised.
She also had the authority to expel any TD from the chamber as she didn’t.
She has no Standing Authority, it’s clear to see.
@martin lawlor: Murphy is an ex fg councillor. Yesterday she suspended the dail, went out and took the coin from her boss and then came back into the house and did his bidding
@martin lawlor: you do realise that every ceann comhairle comes from one party or another…
@anthony davoren: That’s my point Anthony and it’s quite evident from yesterday’s debacle,but Verona Murphy was elected as an Independent!!.
All a smokescreen,she was then put forth as Ceann Comhairle by FFFG.
Do you think she’s still operating as an Independent from that chair???
Would ya stop.
@micheal gilsenan: I think most people just use tap now..
@martin lawlor: sure she’s a newbie and hasn’t a clue.. she was out there on purpose because she hasn’t a clue..
@anthony davoren: it seems a lot of people actually don’t know that this is the case,and if it’s not Verona Murphy it will be someone else who’s also aligned with one of the political parties.
@anthony davoren:Yes they do come from a one political party or another .. I wasn’t aware it was bargaining chip while negotiating a programme for government though.. but I’m open to correction.
I’m unaware of any other workplace where the shouting and bawling would be tolerated.
@honey badger:
1. they should all be ashamed as people of Ireland deserves better.
2. the gesture of that man is regrettable and in any case should be punished as an example.
3. how such person with such a background about corruption is even elected again ?
4. when you are part of a government you can’t be in opposition. make it a rule and move on.
@honey badger: You must remember they are all merely amateur actors
who would not be taken by the Cloonacool dramatics society.
@honey badger: The Loony Left are continuing to behave like schoolroom brats and fast losing any credibility they had left.
The only credible opposition party now is Aontú.
Imagine, on a day that it’s announced that average house prices have increased by €2000 for every week since they were elected and all they can think of doing is squabbling amongst themselves.
It further underlines the disconnect between the politicians and the people.
@honey badger: murphy on the radio saying the opposition was losing their “objecttion” time to the government proposals. At least we know where his priorities lie. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the muppet show…..
@honey badger: 100% agree. If I treated a colleague in the same way I would be meeting HR on bullying charges.
If my colleague felt they had no alternative but to leave, then that woukd be constructive dismissal.
Instead, in the Dail those harassing, intimidating and bullying are given the afternoon off!
ALL of the TDs need to cop on and be mature & professional. Is this too much to ask?
@Mike Doe: course, it’s all SF fault?
@Greagoir O Duinn: Yes it is
@Thomas Sheridan: Aontú
Insert 1 million laughing emojis here ->
The people deserve the government it gets.
@J Cronin: It doesn’t deserve the opposition it has.
Well done OPPOSITION parties.
You get what you didn’t vote for ffg entitled wasters
@Robert Halvey: You really are a broken record….is there anything in your view that’s not their fault?
@John Paul: Your one to talk ,
@Robert Halvey: what did people vote for then? For the record I believe the government are wrong on this, very much so.
@Robert Halvey: ‘you’re’……How so,for speaking the truth in here instead of the usual nonsense?
@Robert Halvey: We can only be grateful that the shrieking and hysterical Loony Left didn’t get to run the country. They are fast losing any credibility they had left, and, for them, it’s all about me me me listening to myself.
About time the opposition stood together. There is no way any business should take place till that vote is reversed and Lowry has been told you can have your speaking time in government time simple. If the government didn’t do such a grubby deal with Lowry a corrupt and not fit for office politician there would be no issue.
What has Lowry got over this government because there is no way they would go to these lengths unless he had something .
Lowry showed he’s true colours in the Dàil yesterday it was only a matter of time and as for Verona Murphy she picked her side yesterday and now has to go unfortunately because I actually thought she would be quite good but you can have an a Ceann Comhairle pulling strokes for the government and Lowry.
@Jonathan Byrne: Good man Jonathan
At least we have an opposition, finally united. Where is the opposition in USA?
@Karin Ahlers: Who cares?
@Karin Ahlers:
Probably in prison.
@Karin Ahlers: move there
Ireland is regarded as the 8th most Democratic Country in the World by The Economist (The UK is 17th, The US 28th) but anyone coming there from a developing country to learn how democracy works would get a bit of a shock if they saw these shenanigans.
She’s out of her depth.
All the people she let down also in Wexford.
Perfect for Tanaiste.
MM & co have picked the most peculiar hill to die on. They have an opportunity to look like the bigger persons by scrapping the motion and leave their opponents screaming at a void.
The fact that they are clinging to it so tenaciously hints towards a huge underlying weakness in the coalition. That weakness is more than hinted at , rather amplified, by the political re-emergence of Lowry , this time in the role of king maker. And doesn’t he just love being the linchpin in an assembly of gombeens .
She can’t even speak Irish yet she’s supposed to chair and moderate debate that regularly incorporates Irish speech. She shouldn’t have that position at all.
Sorry harris but the only people the public are disappointed in are ffg and murphy, a new election is needed and people better come out and vote this time, get sf into govt and sort this country out once and for all
@he didnt take the 120k because he already got it split over 3 years:
We had a new election last year.
People were given a list of all the candidates,and their priorities .
The Electorate spoke.,but you want this overturned to suit your love of S.F.
This is Ireland,not the U.S,and we believe in Democracy.
All that bellowing yesterday does not help ,and was a disgrace.
@Mary.E.: considering a survey poll was done a few weeks after the election by Red C poll asking people if they were happy after voting for FG and 85% of them said no as they realised Chambers and Harris fudged all their numbers and lied on the campaign trail to get the votes. So I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a different outcome on a new election.
FFG, Greens and the Independents that are in opposition but propping the government up are all a disgrace and do not represent me.
Lowry is and always was a tramp. Martin is no better cosying up to him. With some luck the DPP will report back with a decision to forward Lowry (the s####ag) to trial.
@Andrew Kenny: well said, the shytębäg!!
FFGLOWRY dictatorship in full motion RIP democracy
This is purely down to Martin and Harris. Getting the backing from Lowry and the Healys leaves this Dail in tatters and its an reprehensible behaviour on their part.
I am now thinking they have lost the respect of the people. This is not about speaking rights. This is just ethics and the lack there of in politics.
Verona Murphy is a casualty as a result.
A pantomime for the masses and you lap it up. As long as the Dáil is in disarray then nothing gets done, which is the end objective.
What you perceive as a random event is a highly coordinated, well planned, and well executed exercise.
You are a presented with the illusion of choice, one which you believe to be true in its creation and implemention.
I personally have no confidence in government
@Pauline Cahill: I’m sure that they’re concerned….
Trying to blame the Ceann Comhairle for their own behavior is hilarious.
@Anthony Curran: would you blame a referee if he totally lost control football matches on regular occasions? Of course you would and you would be correct too.
@Darius Guppy: the teams and players in question would be fined, banned and made apologise. Do you think SF, Carty and Doherty as well as P Murphy will have any sanction?
@Anthony Curran: you didn’t answer the question. Yes, all the protagonists, on all sides, should face serious sanction for their behaviour. However, if there was proper sanction in the House, Lowry would not be allowed in and this duplicitous issue would never have happened.
Verona Murphy sounds like Mrs Doyle in father Ted.
Mrs Doyle in the Dail
is their a connection between x fffg leak and x goverment advisor christian type that got done for underage offence!!!
I believe this is called collusion
opposition needs to grow a pear walk out stay out till sorted, stop waisting our time as ye do not have the votes for this or next 5 yrars , ye as low ry as ye can get fffg has ye in the bag
@jn: Crumbs lad did you finish school?
Not a big fan of her but there is nobody who could have done anything different about the disgraceful behaviour in the dail yesterday. They haven’t shown an ounce of respect to the position of ceann comhairle since she was appointed and it is those that were roaring like animals in our dail that should be ashamed of themselves
@anthony davoren: i totally agree with you.How could she do anything else with the opposition refusing to behave,stop shouting and sit down.If they are not going to respect the request of the Ceann Comhairle then they have to accept the consequences
@anthony davoren: The bullying women needed a woman to teach them manners.
@Norman Farragher: spot the ffg goons
What a great little country we have, where our tax contributions are paid to watch monkeys throw bananas at each other, and one of the monkeys sticks his 2 fingers at us. Beyond belief.
Roderic needs to be quiet as he is nothing but a disaster in or out of government.
The CC stuff is irrelevant. She’d be replaced by another of same. Focus on the speaking time.
The radical leftie opposition are a danger to Ireland.
@Rian O’Sullivan: that Pearse Doherty is one hell of a gowl all I could hear yesterday was his big Donegal tramps gob roaring across the chamber. Verona should have thrown any shouters out irrespective of what side they’re on. She’s miles out of her depth and sinking in quicksand
@Nemethon: good man don’t put the blame where it belongs put it on the opposition trying to get a point across
The government is squarely to blame fir this complete farce
But that’s what the lefties voted in again, suck it up
@Brian Hackett: Sinn Fein the Trumpians of Irish political life
@Rian O’Sullivan: Agree. They only prioritise Palestine and Ukraine not Irish needs. Send them packing!!!
@Beachvibe: They don’t care about Ireland just foreign countries
@Tim Brennan: did you come up with that all by yourself or did you Google it
SF would not be as astute as Trump
Time will tell what Trump is up to but the lefties and Democrats will just keep knocking to make themselves feel like victims
Not her fault, a bunch of petulant children.
Looks like Mary Lou and Ivana Back don’t have the confidence in a woman to do the job of Ceann Comhairle.
@Chaotic State: simply following the USA style. Disrupt everything and exploit the chaos. Bring the whole house down without any regard for anyone or anything. That said, I agree that the govt are wrong. But this goes well beyond acceptable political to and fro. You’d expect it from SF but surprised at Bacik
@Chaotic State: Says them who only want to talk about Palestine and Ukraine? Send them packing!
@Chaotic State: i dont think this is about womanhood, i think it’s about her party affiliation.
SF loving this behaviour..
@Derek O Gorman: Their behavior is that of radical far left bullies like the kind who oppressed Garron Noone
@Mike Doe: the irony of your comment is hilarious. As a democracy, we have to have an opposition to stand for the people. Not the interests of the parties that have run this country into the ground for people of my generation. Five years in higher education, years of experience but I’ll never be able to afford a house. Feels like a massive waste of time now because wages and salary don’t match the cost of living anymore.
None of these elite people inside them gates represent me anymore. I don’t want them swanning around the world telling them about Ireland and the Irish people, Resign and call a fresh election.
OMG. Can someone tell them they failed to form a government.
The behaviour of o gorman over the last 5 years have been despicable, how dare he should stand in judgement of anyone else , and I see how quickly the shinners ,liebour and the higher than thou soc dem s have cosyed up to him , this is why ffg won the election, the alternative was unbearable to think about!
In full view for anyone who opens their eyes The Sinn Fein Kangaroo court system in action Belfast Mafia have ruled Bacik and Co and have been encapsulated just like the SDLP north of the border they have been obliterated.
Sinn Fein are out of control like Trump they cannot accept defeat imagine If they got their hands on the levers of power.
@Tim Brennan: oh stop it
An Ceann Comhairle gan focal Gaeilge amháin.
We all know if labour were sitting on the government benches there wouldn’t be a word out of them . It’s not a moral stand from them ,just political opportunism
The opposition are a disgrace.
@Mary Ryan: which ones? The official opposition or the ones who straddle both sides?
“A Holy Show”?
Shouldn’t that be “An Unholy Show”?
Ah the mad leftie opposition when will you realise you are utterly irrelevant in regards to Irish political life.
Kick the far left radicalists out! None of them want to talk about Irish matters anyway. Pro Palestine, Pro Ukraine but not Pro Ireland.
@Beachvibe: They are traitors to Ireland that’s why
@H Woo: Agreed extremely dangerous party.
I’m not getting my way so I’m gonna shout Shout SHOUT!!
This is really helpful not There are important issues to be discussed and sorted out and fixed and this is honestly not top of anyone’s priority list. Adversarial politics at its worst.
This is not belittling the issue but take it off line and sort it out and get on with the job of running the country, discuss, debate, and ultimately allow the elected majority rule.
Verona Murphy is completely unfit for the job. She doesn’t have the metaphorical balls to stand up to the left-wing and far-left parties in the Dáil that have continually embarrassed themselves by shouting down proceedings and refusing accept that they are in the wrong. There needs to be court officers in the Dáil like we have in trials to remove people who make noise or cause interruptions. Lawlessness has been allowed to fester for too long. There is no other workplace that would permit such behaviour from its employees. There are so many actual pressing issues but Sinn Fein, Labour, PBP and the other clowns continue to drag this out. The four Independents don’t hold any cabinet positions and aren’t even part of the government! Tony Gregory set the precedent for this back in the 1980s.
Do these self centered people. there is a word for them but I won’t say it. ………….. realize the world around us is imploding and this country faster then most. They were right about One thing yesterday the lot of them should be ashamed of themselves
I’m sure she’s shaking in her Christian Louboutins?? Another pointless and fruitless exhibition from Mouth Almighy McDonald and her cohorts. Pity they wouldn’t take the government to task on issues that actually affect the average person in the street.
The absolute gall of them! They behave like children and blame mam and dad for not parenting
Not matter what your party allegiance, independent or otherwise,everyone should be truly horrified and disappointed by whats on display in our dail,representatives,grown men and women behaving in this manner is truly embarrassing.
Irish wider public has no confidence in any of the individuals in Leisure House on Kildare Street and soon off on Easter break and this clown show will continue it appears up to the Summer holidays and beyond. Either a new general election or people need to remove these self serving dross from the levers of power by force.
Pointless.
They have done zero except give themselves more time off and a pay rise since they returned.
Devolve power to brussels ,these are frankly an embarrassment.
Thank you to their voters ,i hope you enjoy the pretend drama in your mansions.
@Green Masquerader: Democracy it can be beech sometimes, maybe move to Russia
Ceann Comhairle was elected by secret ballot. SF & and others didn’t like the GE result, so now they are trying to bully & shout. There has been NO reduction in speaking time for the opposition.
The unedifying site of two women unleashing their full pumped men with testosterone induced masculinity shouting and roaring at Verona Murphy was as bad look for both.
The people of the republic of Ireland voted in the TDs… SF, Labour, SD and the rest of the lefties didn’t get enough votes from the electorate to form anything… They will sit on the opposition benches for the next five years and complain about everything, but won’t do anything that the electorate voted them in to do. Their stupid childish behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated in a school yard… Why are we allowing them to act like this in our parliament ?
She’s not at fault …
We are blessed with beautiful looking politicians.
The sight of them makes me want to vomit.
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