DUBLIN — A tumultuous scene unfolded in Ireland’s parliament on Tuesday, as opposition members vehemently protested against newly instituted speaking rules imposed by the government. The confrontation escalated when the nationalist party Sinn Féin led efforts to shout down Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Speaker Verona Murphy, disrupting attempts to maintain order.
After two months of stalled negotiations over speaking rights, the government aimed to resolve the situation by amending the rules to establish twice-weekly slots for independent lawmakers who support the government to pose questions to Martin. However, this effort quickly backfired, as Martin was drowned out by opposition members when he attempted to respond to questions. The uproar forced Speaker Murphy to adjourn parliament early for the day, marking the second instance of her having to take such drastic action, following a similar situation in January.
Opposition’s refusal to cooperate
Speaker Murphy was unable to announce the results of the vote due to opposition members’ refusal to sign the document that confirmed the number of votes from their side. Despite the government’s victory, which was displayed on video screens inside the Leinster House, the chaos left a palpable tension in the air. An exasperated Murphy remarked on the misogyny she felt from her fellow lawmakers during the uproar, declaring,
“Deputies, while you may not have respect for me, I am the chair. When I speak, nobody else speaks,”
in one of her many attempts to regain control of the session.
Political tensions and the stakes
The breakdown of consensus in the Dáil Éireann has severely hindered the establishment of cross-party committees necessary for scrutinizing government legislation. This standoff highlights the deep-seated opposition towards Martin’s coalition government, which comprises his centrist Fianna Fáil party and Simon Harris’ Fine Gael, with support from a small group of right-leaning independents known as the Regional Independents.
A key figure among the Regional Independents is Michael Lowry, a Tipperary lawmaker previously implicated in questionable dealings with influential business figures. In return for their backing, these independents secured significant benefits, including the speaker’s position for Murphy and access to junior ministerial roles, along with parliamentary speaking rights that had traditionally been reserved for opposition members.
Opposition leaders maintain that Lowry must not participate in their questioning sessions with Martin. The newly passed amendment aimed to create a designated time for inquiries from “other members” to address this concern. During intermittent interruptions, Martin accused the opposition of exaggerating the situation to disrupt parliamentary operations, emphasizing the carelessness of such tactics, especially given Ireland’s status as a major exporter to the United States and the looming threat of substantial tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald countered Martin’s claims, stating that normal parliamentary business would not resume until the rules clearly defined the Regional Independents’ position within the government framework.
“The combined opposition are not backing down on this matter. We reject your attempt to run roughshod over this Dáil and to ram through this motion,”
she asserted, underscoring the belief that one cannot simultaneously hold roles in government and opposition.
Amidst the frenzy, the only pro-government lawmaker seemingly enjoying the contentious debate was Lowry, who refrained from comments but frequently waved at opposition leaders as they criticized him. His demeanor brightened noticeably when Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, noted for her expertise in constitutional law, dismissed the motion for Other Members’ Questions as merely a ploy to provide favorable treatment to the Regional Independents.
“This device is really being introduced to give the Lowry lads special time to tell the government how well you’re doing. You know it. Everyone in the country knows it,”
she remarked, encapsulating the prevailing sentiments among the opposition.