Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach to name a single parliament in the world where there is a time slot on the schedule where 100% of the time is given to the Government members of that parliament and he did not answer. Today, the Taoiseach came in with a list of parliaments where government MPs can ask oral questions. That has always been the case in Ireland where Government TDs can ask oral questions. They can ask questions under Questions on Policy or Legislation and under Taoiseach’s Questions as well, and the Government is getting rid of half of those.

A Cheann Comhairle, the role of Ceann Comhairle in defending the democratic processes in this Dáil and the interests of all Members impartially is very important. It is essential that the Ceann Comhairle enjoys the confidence of both Government and Opposition. Clearly, this is no longer the case and you need to reflect on that position.

Yesterday, the mask slipped. The enduring image of the day was Michael Lowry giving the two fingers. A TD, who has been found to be grossly corrupt, laughing it up as the Taoiseach did his bidding sums it all up. The derision and the contempt that is at the heart of this Government was clearly exposed. Michael Lowry was cock-a-hoop, and who can blame him? The Taoiseach had just ripped up more than 100 years of parliamentary procedure for him. The question we all want answered is: why is the Taoiseach jumping through the hoops for Michael Lowry?

I have listened to the Taoiseach demean the concerns about this stitch up. For generations, we have had Governments and Oppositions, each one charged with a distinct duty - one empowered to run the country and the other to hold that power accountable. After yesterday’s debacle, we have a muddying of the waters, an attempt to disguise Government backbenchers as members of the Opposition by bestowing them with the same speaking rights as opposition leaders. The notion that they will use this time to hold the Government to account is laughable. No one buys it, least of all the Taoiseach.

The arrogant dismissal of the public’s concerns is not working. They can see very clearly through the Government’s spin to what is really going on here. What we have is a Government that is drunk on power trying to damage the Opposition’s ability to hold it accountable. That is a serious infringement of the job we were elected to do and a slap in the face of the people who voted for us.

If ever a government needed to be held to account, this one does. It is barely a few months old and its record is already one of failure. The Government is flailing around on housing as the situation deteriorates from disaster to catastrophe. Children with disabilities and their families are being betrayed and abandoned. Pre-election promises, such as enacting the occupied territories Bill, have been kicked to touch. Clearly, it is not only Michael Lowry showing disrespect to the public. Will the Taoiseach come clean and tell us what he promised Michael Lowry in return for his support for this Government?

See this speech in context