Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The disregard shown by that in and of itself strikes me as astonishing. Eleven days ago, Deputies presented for consideration by the Members of this House a motion in respect of the proper functioning of this place to address a matter that has been a cause of grave frustration for all of us. The Ceann Comhairle says there is a problem with the motion and the Deputies were told of this yesterday, at the 11th hour. At a minimum, that is very bad practice and it speaks again to the dilemma we have here. Are we totally and inappropriately hemmed in by interpretations of Standing Orders, rules and the Constitution such that we can give out and complain but we cannot get any resolution of this matter? What is the remedy for the Deputies? That is what I would like to know. It is not acceptable to tell them they should simply forget about their motion because they will not get to bring it forward. I want to know when we will see a motion before the House and get to exercise our authority to change Standing Orders.

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