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

The Taoiseach has claimed that the Dáil will never be the same again. I agree, but that is not because the Opposition is standing our ground. It is because of his underhanded manoeuvres to rig the Dáil and stack the Opposition in his favour. That is the threat faced here, which certainly has some resonance with events elsewhere in the world.

If people ever wonder why Governments come and go but nothing really improves for working people, they have their answer here in a nutshell. The insider deals and the cosy club are the reason so many people cannot afford a roof over their heads, our hospitals are overcrowded and overwhelmed, children with special needs are locked out of services and education, and families struggle to make ends meet. These deals preserve the status quo and ensure that workers and families are pushed to the back of the queue.

This is the deal that the Ceann Comhairle moved heaven and earth to defend last Tuesday. It is the very deal that secured her position. The reality is that it was Michael Lowry who ensured she would become Ceann Comhairle. In her acceptance speech, an Teachta Murphy openly acknowledged Michael Lowry's efforts, identifying him as the person who first approached her to seek the office of Ceann Comhairle. Despite deep reservations, she was given a fair wind when she assumed that office, but last Tuesday our worst fears were realised. She became the Government's Ceann Comhairle. Michael Lowry gave two fingers to the Irish people; we will not accept the Ceann Comhairle doing the same. The Ceann Comhairle is not fair, impartial or independent and cannot stay. The Ceann Comhairle must go.

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