The Ceann Comhairle was bullied by the opposition yesterday, Shane Coleman has claimed.
The Dáil endured yet another acrimonious and difficult day, in which opposition TDs fiercely opposed the Government’s decision to give more speaking rights to its own backbenchers.
Opposition TDs have since called for the resignation of Verona Murphy, accusing her of being partisan and unprofessional.
On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said it had not been a good day for Irish democracy.
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“This is politics today,” he said.
“I’m not saying the opposition don’t have an argument, don’t have a case but I worry about where we’re bringing politics.
“Was the Ceann Comhairle bullied yesterday? I think she probably was bullied yesterday.
“I don’t think her performance was particularly good and I cringe at the whole, ‘You’re making a holy show of yourself.’
“I didn’t think she had authority yesterday, but I do think it was bullying behaviour going on that wouldn’t be tolerated in any other workplace.”
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Shane said most of the opposition’s behaviour had been “incoherent” and “largely performative”, adding it was a distraction from the real issues the country faces.
“I do worry about where it’s bringing politics,” he said.
“I do worry about where it’s bringing politis; I also worry because there are huge issues coming down the track.
“Massive issues; the tariffs - where it’s going to leave our budgetary arithmetic, the housing crisis, infrastructure.
“All these issues that have to be addressed and we have the political equivalent of two bald men fighting over a comb. I really worry about this, I have to say.”
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Co-presenter Ciara Kelly said she had been shocked by what she saw.
“It reminded me of news footage I’d seen from parliaments elsewhere,” she said.
“Places like Hungary… where you’ve actually seen politicians practically come to blows.
“It’s mayhem, it’s chaos, it’s aggressive, it’s all of that.”
Ciara also agreed that the Ceann Comhairle had been bullied but that she had performed poorly in the role.
“I don’t know how much more she could have done when the place is in pandemonium and chaos,” she said.
“It was an embarrassment; it’s an embarrassment of a Dáil.”
Sinn Féin has said they will table a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle if she does not resign.
Main image: Split of Verona Murphy and Shane Coleman. Images by: Oireachtas TV and Newstalk.
