The Chaos In The Dáil Explained
Image: Sam Boal
The Chaos In The Dáil Explained
Text: Izzy Copestake
The Dáil made history yesterday, but not in the way anyone expected.
Yesterday saw the most chaotic day in the Dáil in over 100 years, as it failed to elect a government. A day of escalating tension and disorder in the chamber saw the legislative body suspended on 3 occasions, with the constitutional obligation to elect a Taoiseach left unfulfilled.
At the centre of the chaos was a row over speaking time for Independent TDs Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole, and Danny Healy-Rae. Despite supporting the government and using this privilege to approve a programme for government, these TDs joined a “technical group,” a parliamentary mechanism designed to give smaller parties and independents more representation during debates. However, this means that they would be allowed to sit on the opposition bench and be granted opposition speaking rights, despite supporting the government.
Opposition TDs argue this move undermines the balance of power in the chamber and diminishes their ability to hold the government to account. Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy described it as a “subversion of democratic principles,” accusing the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy of failing to act impartially in her temporary decision to grant the group speaking rights.
The Independent TDs at the centre of the speaking-time controversy argue that their inclusion in a technical group is justified under parliamentary rules, which allow smaller or unaffiliated members to secure speaking rights. They contend that, as elected representatives, they have a right to voice their constituencies’ concerns and ensure participation in debates, even if they align with the government. However, it raises a serious issue around holding power to account.
After the Dáil was suspended for a third time, with no Taoiseach elected by the end of the day Micheál Martin said: “There was a majority of the people’s representatives in Dáil Éireann today prepared to elect a government. They were denied the opportunity to vote. That is a fundamental subversion of the Constitution and of our democracy, and it is unacceptable and unprecedented.”
A second attempt to elect a Taoiseach will be attempted today.
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