The Dáil has been suspended three times amid bitter rows over a two week Dáil break and speaking rights for opposition TDs.
Today, the Dáil meets for the second time since the election for TDs to elect Micheál Martin as Taoiseach.
The sitting was first suspended by the new Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, after several TDs raised their unhappiness with the upcoming break.
Following heckles from the opposition benches, Deputy Murphy suspended the session.
'This is a test of you, Ceann Comhairle, and so far, you are failing.'
Dáil descends into chaos amid shouting match pic.twitter.com/KP8jpLPtOd
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 22, 2025
“It’s absolutely scandalous that the Government is going to push through the cessation of the Dáil until February,” People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger told Newstalk.
“We have a housing crisis, we have a climate crisis, we have an autism schools places crisis.
“In my constituency, people don’t know if their kids are going to have a school place and yet the Government is packing its bags until February.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable to operate in that way.”
The Dáil Chamber at Leinster House. Picture by: Laura Hutton/Photocall IrelandSocial Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan also said he was disappointed the Dáil would not sit again for nearly two weeks.
“It’s a long time now since the election was held; the Dáil has only sat one day since then,” he said.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous; the Dáil should, of course, be sitting next week for a full week.”
'Settling in time'
Not all TDs were opposed to the two week break; independent TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who is set to join the Government, said new ministers will need time to understand their briefs.
“Let’s stand back for a minute,” he said.
“We have a number of new TDs in the Dáil; some of them are going to be junior and senior ministers.
“Asking them to go into a department and know everything that’s going to happen within that department in the next week or so, is not going to be viable.
“So, I think there’s a need to have that settling in time.”
Michael Healy-Rae, who is also expected to be appointed a minister, said he would be working regardless.
“I don’t set the rules but I can guarantee you one thing,” he said.
“Whether it’s inside here or whether it’ll be where I’ll be tomorrow, all I know is I’ll be working for the people of Kerry in whatever shape or form that is.
“That is it; I won’t be twiddling my thumbs.”
Opposition speaking rights
The Dáil was then suspended for a second time by the Ceann Comhairle after she was repeatedly heckled by TDs, who urged her to publish legal advice relating to the speaking rights of independent TD.
"When are we getting the legal advice, Ceann Comhairle?" was repeatedly shouted from across the Dáil chamber.
After a lengthy period of heckling, Deputy Murphy suspended the sitting once again.
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Following a further row, the Dáil was suspended for a third time.
It means the election of Micheál Martin has been delayed by hours.
Main image: Verona Murphy. Picture by: RollingNews.ie.
