Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann has confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy T.D.

As we begin this debate, I hope members of the Opposition will allow others to be heard and will not engage in the systematic barracking we have seen in recent months. This is an extremely serious debate that goes to the heart of a range of fundamental issues about how this democratic Parliament operates. It is profoundly regrettable that this debate is being held today. There is nothing in the behaviour of the Ceann Comhairle that justifies the Opposition's attempt to remove her. It is the sad culmination of an escalating two-month-long campaign of aggression and disruption by much of the Opposition. It is a campaign during which we have heard wild denunciations, the blockading of basic democratic business and the growing intimidation of elected representatives. It is a campaign of aggression and disruption that is wildly disproportionate to any issue at hand. It has, at its core, a demand that the minority should have the right to import mob politics into this Chamber.

Having given us scenes last week that had never before been recorded in 106 years of this democratic Parliament, the Opposition decided it would seek the Ceann Comhairle's head. Having broken every single rule of this House, having shouted down business, having started to chant and abuse others, having refused even to allow the democratically elected chairperson of this House to be heard, Opposition Members are now claiming it is she who should be censured. The Opposition is trying to manufacture a claim that it was actually the Ceann Comhairle who behaved inappropriately and that she is the person in this House who should be attacked. The arsonists are demanding that we censure the fire brigade. Let no one be in any doubt that there is not one bit of good faith in the arguments we have been hearing from Sinn Féin and the parts of the Opposition that have joined it in its aggression.

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