The Dáil was briefly suspended this afternoon amid a row that's seen the Ceann Comhairle accused of 'attacking democracy'.
Under Dáil rules, any bill from the opposition that costs money needs the approval of Government - with that approval granted via a so-called 'money message' signed by the Taoiseach.
However, opposition parties have claimed the rules around 'money messages' are being used to block dozens of pieces of legislation - leaving more than 50 bills in 'parliamentary limbo' despite being passed by a majority of TDs.
Solidarity-People Before Profit have put forward a Dáil motion aiming to change the rules governing the use of money messages.
They say they're looking to "remove the use of incidental expenses and indirect costs of implementing a Bill from the reasons that the Government can impose a 'money message'".
However, Ceann Comahirle Seán Ó Fearghaíl has ruled Bríd Smith's motion unconstitutional, effectively halting a proposed Dáil debate on the motion.
Dáil suspended after Solidarity People Before Profit TDs continued to shout and protest after their motion for tomorrow was deemed unconstitutional
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 5, 2019
Ahead of today's Dáil sitting, People Before Profit claimed the decision to rule out of order the proposed motion was "an attack on the Dáil's independence and democracy itself".
In a statement, the party said: "[Bríd Smith TD] has demanded that the Ceann’s decision is reversed and said that the proposed motion is debated on Wednesday.
"Over 56 Bills are presently blocked by the Money Message, including 18 from Fianna Fail, 14 from Sinn Fein and all four of Solidarity /People Before Profit's Bills.
"The TD has said she will potentially seek an injunction against the Ceann's actions if the decision is not reversed by today."
Amid a row in the Dáil this afternoon over the dispute, the Ceann Comhairle suspended the House for ten minutes as TDs objected to the week's parliamentary agenda.
He argued: "This is a democratic forum within which no member is allowed shout down their colleagues."
Ceann Comhairle says he stands over the advice he's gotten that the motion is unconstitutional
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 5, 2019
People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett, meanwhile, claimed the situation around their motion was "unprecedented".
He suggested: "We have the right to put forward motions - the Constitution says we have the right to put forward motions about the rule of this House.
"We are most strongly objecting to a sabotage of the democratic process in that regard."
