Irish parliament suspended twice in row over speaking rights
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The Irish parliament has been suspended twice amid a row over speaking time rights afforded to independent politicians who were part of a negotiating team in the Government formation talks. Chaotic scenes descended in the Dail on Wednesday as TDs clashed over a decision to allow members of the Regional Independents Group to keep their speaking time as part of opposition technical groups.
It led to a series of interruptions and lengthy dispute over their speaking rights. The speaker (Ceann Comhairle) of the House, Verona Murphy, was forced to suspend matters, however, after returning about 20 minutes later, the chamber was again interrupted by angry scenes.
Ms Murphy suspended proceedings for a second time for around 30 minutes. It has led to a delay in the nomination of the taoiseach. Several Sinn Fein representatives have objected to Government parties receiving more speaking time in the order of business.
In particular, they noted that Sinn Fein had received more seats than Fine Gael in the election. The party’s chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn had called for the Dail to be suspended for an urgent meeting of the Business Committee over the dispute. As Mr Mac Lochlainn’s party colleague Matt Carthy continued making objections, Ms Murphy said she would suspend the Dail for 15 minutes.
She made the decision after Mr Carthy did not return to his seat and the suspension was not for Sinn Fein’s request of a meeting of the Business Committee. Upon the resumption of the Dail after a suspension, the Ceann Comhairle said she would deal with the dispute over speaking time “expeditiously”.
