‘Victory for common sense’ on speaking rights ruling in the Dáil says Laois TD
There were chaotic scenes in the Dáil two weeks ago amid the row over speaking rights
LAOIS Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has welcomed the ruling by the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy that the non-ministerial Regional Independent Group cannot form a technical group for opposition speaking time in the Dáil.
In her statement on the ruling Ms Murphy said: “As Ceann Comhairle, I have made a determination in relation to the recognition of the Regional Technical Group. I have come to my conclusion having carefully considered legal advice, submissions and other materials which are in the public domain.”
Commenting after the ruling Deputy Stanley said: “I welcome the decision from the Ceann Comhairle which allows us to get on with the business that we have been elected to do, to represent our constituencies and deal with Dáil legislation.
“We have had a ludicrous situation for the last couple of weeks, with a group of four government ministers, and four others from the Regional Independent Group who negotiated a program for government, trying to be in opposition and in government at the same time.”
The Portlaoise based TD said: “They have claimed credit for having their proposals included in the program for government, voted to elect the cabinet ministers and Taoiseach and pledged publicly to support that government for the next five years. To then claim, that they could somehow be part of the opposition and use opposition speaking time in the Dáil, was an attempt to stand logic and democracy on its head.
“It is great that common sense has prevailed and that Dáil rules have been upheld. We now need to get on with the job.” The Government had backed the Michael Lowry-led group, who are supporting the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael led coalition.
Efforts to appoint Micheál Martin as taoiseach two weeks ago were disrupted by chaotic scenes when opposition parties boisterously protested over the speaking time dispute.
