Dail row sinks to new Low

Martin accused of upending democratic functions

- BT LOUISE BURNE

INDEPENDENT Michael Lowry stuck two fingers up at Opposition TDs yesterday on another chaotic day that saw furious rows force the suspension of the Dail.

Opposition leaders failed to express confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy last night raising doubts about the viability of her position.

Fianna Fail’s John Lahart said some of the behaviour in the chamber was “akin to a mob”.

Since January, the Government and the Opposition have been at loggerheads over the provision of speaking time for independent TDs who negotiated the programme for government.

The group includes Mr Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Danny Healy-Rae and Gillian Toole, who initially sought opposition speaking time.

Mrs Murphy ruled current Dail rules do not allow them to be classified as opposition members and that they cannot participate in set pieces such as Leaders’ Questions.

The Government created an additional Dail slot called Other Members’ Questions to allow these deputies and Government backbenchers to quiz the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste twice a week.

It also proposed reducing Taoiseach’s Questions to once a week rather than twice and limiting the time parties can object to the week's business from one minute to 30 seconds.

OBJECT

Ahead of the vote, which was scheduled for 3pm yesterday, all opposition parties stated they would object to the Government's plans.