On Wednesday, the Dáil failed to elect a Taoiseach amid what Government officials described as “unprecedented” disruption. Opposition parties objected to the Government’s attempts to proceed with business, citing disagreements over speaking rights.
The controversy centres on whether independent TDs supporting the proposed Government should be granted speaking time traditionally allocated to the opposition. Several independents, who have agreed to form a Government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, wish to join a “technical group” to access opposition speaking time. Some of these independents are set to become Ministers of State, while others want to join such groups.
Opposition parties have firmly rejected this, arguing that independents backing the Government are effectively part of it and should not receive opposition speaking rights. They believe such arrangements would undermine the mechanisms for holding the Government accountable.
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The Ceann Comhairle addresses the Dáil as it reconvenes pic.twitter.com/LMJehpAXlo
Government representatives, along with the independents involved, argue that parliamentary rules allow for their inclusion in technical groups and that any rule changes require action by the Dáil Reform Committee, which can only occur after a new Government is formed.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called the idea of being both in government and opposition “a clear and patent absurdity.” In a rare unified stance with other opposition leaders, she described the situation as “farcical” and accused the Government of creating the mess.
“This isn’t just about speaking time—it’s about defining the opposition and ensuring mechanisms for holding the Government accountable,” she said. “Government TDs posing as opposition undermines the democratic process.”
Talks between Government and opposition representatives during a lengthy Dáil suspension ended without resolution on Wednesday. The deadlock left the Dáil deeply divided as it prepared to resume on Thursday.
Ms. McDonald accused the Government of “arrogance” and attempting to undermine the opposition. “This is a fundamental issue, and we will not back down,” she said.
Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton countered by accusing Sinn Féin of blocking the democratic process and breaking an agreement. “We shook hands on allowing the democratic process to continue, and they reneged on it,” she said. “This is anti-democratic and shameful.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris also claimed the opposition had deliberately delayed Mr. Martin’s nomination as Taoiseach. Opposition leaders, however, denied these allegations, insisting no agreement was reached.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik emphasized the opposition’s unified position: “We cannot accept a situation where TDs supporting a Government program are treated as part of the opposition. It’s untenable and chaotic.”
Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan criticized the day’s events as unnecessary and damaging to parliamentary proceedings.
Independent TD Michael Collins accused the Government-supporting independents of trying to “have it both ways,” calling it a challenge to democracy.
Solidarity-People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett argued that the dispute undermined both the opposition and the Government itself. “This isn’t just an attack on the opposition—it’s a mockery of democracy,” he said.
Opposition leaders have pledged to write to the Ceann Comhairle and Government leaders to demand a meeting to resolve the issue. Meanwhile,
Mr. Martin stated that the Government is willing to address concerns raised over the speaking rights dispute.