We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
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.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
TRANSPORT MINISTER DARRAGH O’Brien has said that Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has the “full support” of the government.
He also remarked that the opposition “needs to get on with the job at hand”.
Murphy this week said she “fully intends” to continue as Ceann Comhairle after opposition parties published the text of a motion of no confidence in her, which will come before the Dáil on Tuesday.
There were chaotic scenes of shouting, interruptions and allegations of misogyny in the Dáil on Tuesday as weeks of tension over the speaking rights row boiled over during Leaders’ Questions.
Murphy faced continual interruptions as she tried to continue proceedings as opposition TDs took to their feet and objected to the Government’s proposals to change speaking time arrangements.
The controversial changes to standing orders include the creation of new speaking slots for coalition backbenchers and Government-aligned independents, a reduction of time for contributions on debating the order of business, and a halving of slots for Taoiseach’s Questions.
Opposition parties say the changes are an attempt to dilute their ability to hold the Government to account and to blur the relationship between the independents who have supported the formation of the coalition.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, O’Brien said he “hopes” the confidence motion on Tuesday will be the end of the speaking rights row.
“What we saw this week in the behaviour, particularly of the main opposition party Sinn Féin, aided and abetted by colleagues in the Labour Party in particular, was absolutely disgraceful,” said O’Brien.
He said Murphy was “treated with such disrespect that I have never actually witnessed before”.
He added that he “regrets the fact that the opposition have tabled a no confidence motion” and remarked that Murphy has “executed her functions absolutely properly”.
“I would hope that Tuesday will conclude the situation.
“The Ceann Comhairle has our full support, and we will be supporting her in that vote on Tuesday.
“The opposition, I would say, need to get on with the job at hand.”
O’Brien said it is right for the opposition to hold the government to account but added: “The election has happened and they lost.
“There’s a reality that the government has been put together, that when every new Oireachtas comes in, standing orders are altered or reformed or changed.
“Even when there are disagreements, there’s no excuse for the behaviour that we saw.”
He said he “understand that opposition may disagree with decisions the government makes with regard to standing orders or proposals, but there’s no excuse for what we saw”.
“The hatred and vitriol that I witnessed sitting in the Dáil chamber and the level of abuse was something I never witnessed before,” said O’Brien.
“I thought the day when the opposition ensured that the election of Taoiseach that couldn’t happen, was the worst that I would ever see, and that was actually surpassed by this Tuesday.
“I would ask that in whatever manner that the opposition are entitled to put forward their views, that the manner they do that is in a respectful way.
“For people looking in at what happened on Tuesday, they were disgusted frankly.”
Meanwhile, O’Brien said that Murphy has been “targeted by large parts of the opposition in a coordinated way”.
He added that she will “win a vote of confidence next week and deserves to continue in her role”.
“You cannot just decide that you’re going to target an office holder or a position on the basis that you do not agree with the position that they have taken.
“No one can point out to me where she has not discharged her duties appropriately.”
He added that there were elements of misogyny to the chaotic scenes on Tuesday and remarked: “When the Chair stands in the Dáil, people should sit down.
“But anyone who watched that would see that that was obviously planned.
“They’re entitled to have a different view and to articulate that view, but not in the manner in which they did.
“I think Verona Murphy has been treated atrociously by members in the opposition.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Sentence is still too lenient. 4 times the legal limit, kills one person and paralysis for another.
I listened to the mother of Kate being interviewed on Newstalk and thought she was a lovely, brave woman going through a terrible time. She did not think it would serve any purpose a drunk driver going to prison. She asked that no one get into a car being driven by someone who had been drinking.
We would all be safer if you drink but not drive.
“Out of line with other decided cases” – which clearly must have been too lenient as well! So judges perpetuate their inadequate sentencing because of precedent.
It seems to be the very flawed system on which our entire legal system operates. Basically an original mistake gets extended forever.
This again leaves a huge question mark over the severity of the sentence handed out yesterday to the ex fireman who had consensual sex with a 16 year old and got 7 years in prison. Murdering one person and paralysing another is only four years.
You can’t have consensual sex with a minor. They cannot give consent. This, however, is a disgrace and no deterrent. Judges are totally out of touch with the real world.
If I had too much to drink, killed someone with a weapon and claimed it was an accident? What sentence would I get, If any and the judicial system is a joke in this country.
As I said yesterday completely incompetent Judges…..joke
How the Fcuk is that allowed?
Politicians allow it, they have a bar in their workplace and consume alcohol while working.
They should have doubled his sentence for having the neck to appeal. Outrageous decision.
This country and its judicial system are an absolute joke. What kind of an example does this give. 4 years for what he did. His first sentence was too lenient in my eyes.
An embarrassment
Wonder if I paralysed a judges daughter would I just get the 1 year?
Hold on went from seven to four years. He should of been dragged out and shot.
Can this also set a precedent,for appeal, for that drink drivers sentence last week? On the basis of this, what sentence should have been imposed on the idiot in Donegal. The judiciary in this country is a shambles.
The problem seems to be that there is no central authority issuing guidelines so you have each judge in their own little fiefdom sentencing people according to their own interpretation of the law. We really need minimum sentences and a system where if a judge feels that a particular case warrants a lesser sentence due to mitigating circumstances the case is referred to a higher court.
There should be a mandatory minimum sentence for anyone who kills or maims another person by driving while drunk. Say 12 years and lifetime ban from driving with no chance of appeal, this would act as a good deterrent.
€206877
This is how much the state will save by this appeal. Its in the states interest to grant these appeals. This is why we have laughable sentencing laws. The state is far more interested in money than its citizens. We have seen this again and again. Money trumps life.
http://www.iprt.ie/prison-facts-2
If only Dexter Morgan was real
Is that judge off his nut? If anything the original sentence was too lenient!
It shows the courts are getting more comfortable with this type of crime hence the low sentence
So they’re trying to extend the sentence in that Donegal case while reducing the sentence in this one? Does our legal system have any clue what it’s doing?
Another nonsense sentence for causing such devestation due to being an idiot behind the wheel driving drunk. These judges are clearly blotto when they hand down these terms.
Who cares what you said.
F*ck off troll.
10 years . End of story
Sentencing in this country especially for drink driving road accidents are a disgrace.
A central tenet of democracy is that the branches of Government must be independent of each other. The executive enacts legislation and the judiciary interprets the wording of a given statute when it is tested by way of using it to prosecute a crime. The judges’ interpretation becomes a precedent for other cases of a similar nature into the future. This is called “common law” and is equally as binding as legislation, and is used throughout the land. Sentencing is limited by a variety of factors: legislation, “mandatory sentencing”, and the concept of “fairness.” This chap’s sentence has to be proportionate to those who previously did similar and with a similar outcome. The Victim Impact Statement serves no function other than to give the victims a voice (make them “feel better”.)
have your say