Dáil debates
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion
2:00 pm
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Before we commence, I must call on the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Paul Kehoe, who I understand wishes to make a proposal relating to the sitting and business of the Dáil.
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Not agreed.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that:
(1) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings and business of the Dáil today:(a) the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn on the adjournment of Private Members' business;
(b) there shall be no Order of Business within the meaning of Standing Order 26;
(c) Oral Questions to the Taoiseach and private notice Questions shall not be taken;
(d) matters may not be raised under the provisions of Standing Order 32 (adjournment on specific and important matter of public interest);
(e) the sitting shall now suspend until 2.30 p.m., and the business to be transacted then shall be the motion of confidence in the Taoiseach, the Attorney General and the Government, which shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after three hours and the following arrangements shall apply:(i) the speeches of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and of the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, or persons nominated in their stead, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time;(f) the motion re parliamentary questions rota change shall be taken on the conclusion of the motion of confidence;
(ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time; and
(iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes;
(g) Oral Questions to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources shall be taken on the conclusion of the motion re parliamentary questions rota change;
(h) Topical Issues shall be taken on the conclusion of Oral Questions, followed immediately by Leaders' Questions;
(i) Private Members' business, which shall be motion re health service funding, shall be taken on the conclusion of Leaders' Questions and shall adjourn after 90 minutes; and(2) the business to be taken tomorrow after Oral Questions shall be Marriage Bill 2015 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; Public Transport Bill 2015 - Second Stage (resumed); and Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015 [Seanad] - Second Stage.
2:05 pm
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Is the proposal agreed?
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Not agreed. Could I ask the Government Whip where the Taoiseach is? Surely at the commencement of the business of the House he should be proposing this motion, a motion that again reveals the utter contempt that the Government has for the Dáil and its proceedings. Is this going to be the pattern for the rest of this Dáil, suppressing legitimate debate and basic accountability? Why is there no normal Order of Business today? Why can we not have an Order of Business? Why must Leaders' Questions be pushed out to 7.35 p.m., with the Topical Issue debate and Oral Questions taken before them? Why must the Taoiseach's questions be suspended?
There is absolutely no accountability whatsoever today. There is no reason not to have a normal Order of Business, Taoiseach's questions and Leaders' Questions immediately after the debate on the confidence motion. Why can the Taoiseach not be here at 5.30 p.m. to answer questions that the leaders of other political parties, including me, put to him? On the very first day back for the Dáil, Leaders' Questions are being buried beyond the media cycle at approximately 7.50 p.m. with no rational explanation.
We have written to the Government Whip, but he has not responded or contacted our Whip in any substantive way. It is contemptuous. Why-----
Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Martin would know all about that.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is outrageous.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
These are basic questions, and I cannot understand for the life of me why the Government is so intent on shutting down the Dáil today.
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is incorrect.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is not.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy, please.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
There is no Order of Business. We are being asked to vote-----
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Carey-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Sorry, Deputies.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----that there should be no Order of Business within the meaning of Standing Order 26. Can someone give me a rational explanation as to why?
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Yes.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Why is it that Leaders' Questions are being put back? Why is it that Oral Questions to the Taoiseach and Private Notice Questions are not being taken?
Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Speak on the motion.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Anything that is potentially awkward for the Government is being put to one side and shelved. It really speaks to the intent of the Government in this Dáil to keep running, to keep ducking and diving and avoiding the hard questions.
Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is rich, coming from Deputy Martin.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputies, please.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I do not know why the Deputies opposite are laughing, because that is what the Ministers have leaked to the media. They have said that their strategy is to hide the Taoiseach as often as they possibly can.
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
They are hiding him well today.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is what we are reading.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
We have been reading that for the last number of weeks - that they reduce-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Order, please.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In fairness-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----I will say that the honourable exception to that rule is the Government Whip himself, who believes that the Taoiseach will rule forever and he will be looked after later.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I put it to the Whip-----
Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Where is Deputy John McGuinness today?
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Order, please.
Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Why is he not sitting beside Deputy Martin?
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----that we are not going to accept this attitude and-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Please, could we have one voice?
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----contempt that the Government holds for the House-----
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
This is slapstick.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----and the arrogance that is in the Government. I heard it from the Minister, Deputy Howlin, this morning: "We do not need to be answering questions about this. Move on quickly," and so on.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I said no such thing.
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Yes, you did.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I said no such thing.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The bottom line is that 18 months ago on Leaders' Questions-----
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Tell the truth for once.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----when I asked the Taoiseach about why a Secretary General was sent out to the former Garda Commissioner, the Taoiseach's stock response was that the Government had appointed a commission of investigation and that he could not answer any question until that had been brought to a conclusion.
Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Did Deputy Martin not like the results?
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Taoiseach can answer that.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Again, there are to be no questions on that today. He will answer no questions. The only thing he did was to appear on "Six One News"-----
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Break up what you ask-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----ten minutes after the 300-odd pages were disseminated.
Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Where was Deputy Martin?
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is all he did. He has run from this report ever since. By the way, the whole objective is to avoid being questioned on it. The Labour Party is so vulnerable and exposed by the Attorney General's behaviour in this scenario that it is ponying up support for the Taoiseach in a quid pro quooperation.
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is outrageous.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
"Outrageous" is what is happening here.
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Does the Tánaiste-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is cynicism at its worst and it is contemptuous.
2:15 pm
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I call Deputy Gerry Adams. Could we have order please?
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
We have read the report, unlike the Deputy's colleagues.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Order, please.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
We have read the report, unlike the Deputy's colleagues.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I wish to repeat, if I may, what the Chief Whip read out to Members: "there shall be no Order of Business... Oral Questions to the Taoiseach and private notice Questions shall not be taken... matters may not be raised under the provisions of Standing Order 32... on specific and important matters of public interest." This is what the Chief Whip is asking Members to support-----
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Muzzling Parliament.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----namely, they should not do business here today. Also, Members were only handed this, or I was anyway, ten minutes before coming to the Chamber. The decision by the Government to introduce a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach is no great surprise. While that is fair enough, if Members have learned anything on these benches over the past four years it is about the arrogance and disrespect with which the Government treats the Oireachtas and the Dáil in particular. The absence of the Taoiseach today is yet one more example of that. The motion of confidence was predictable but the decision to abandon Taoiseach's questions was not. Members should remember it has been two months since the Dáil met and consequently they should have been given an opportunity to discuss issues of importance. There is an ongoing crisis in the North at present. I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, but could I have the Chief Whip's attention?
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Yes.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Members cannot debate that issue in the Chamber. There is a deep-rooted problem. Gabh mo leithscéal a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I am addressing my remarks through you to the Government-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----to the Chief Whip. The Chief Whip is engaged in conversation with Ministers and is not listening to what I am trying to articulate.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am listening.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Continue, Deputy.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
There is a deep problem-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Could we have order please?
Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
There is a deep problem with Northern Ireland.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
There is a deep problem. There is a deep problem about homelessness and Members do not have the opportunity to discuss it. Every day, Members read about the tens of thousands of refugees in coffin ships who are dying by the scores. One hears it on the news every evening but Members have no opportunity to discuss it.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Do it tomorrow.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Moreover, they have no opportunity to discuss the Fennelly report. Let me state again for the record that I would have had no objections, had the Taoiseach gone to the Cabinet and asked for majority support for the resignation of the Garda Commissioner. That would have been the appropriate and proper thing to do. However, he did not do that. He did not give the Garda Commissioner the opportunity to give his side of the story. He did not consult properly with the Minister for Justice and Equality. He did not do it the straight way; he did it in another way and now he has denied all of that. The Taoiseach has yet to even acknowledge that he was sent for by the Fennelly commission more than once.
Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is not all about denying.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The media management that rolled out on the day the interim report was given to the Government or when it was published at least was a class act. The Taoiseach put himself forward to answer questions on the report that no one except him had read.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
This is a debate.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
None of the journalists who questioned him that evening had even read the report so he got his spin in first. The Dáil has been denied the opportunity to discuss that.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Members are debating a procedural motion.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
We now are on the last legs of the Government.
Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Get to the point.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputies may have confidence; I do not know whether that is true. They might vote for confidence, as what can they do? They either hang together or hang separately.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Do not go there.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
However, the straight thing to do-----
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Or face a court martial.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
However, the straight thing to do, and the Minister, Deputy Howlin, should show some leadership in this regard, is call the election-----
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Hear, hear.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----go to the polls and give the people their say because that at least will ensure all these issues will be debated. They may not be debated in here but they will be debated outside this Chamber where people meet and where they will decide on the next Government.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you. I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I move amendment No. 1:
That the debate continue into tomorrow; and that the time be extended by at least another three hours, and preferably more than that.
I am opposing the proposal because three hours is pathetically inadequate to deal with the range of substantial issues and to call the Government to account on some of the most serious issues that ever have faced Irish society.
In terms of time, only Fianna Fáil is to have a second speaking slot. Even Sinn Féin and the Technical Group are cut off from a second slot under the proposal from the Chief Whip.
2:25 pm
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is right.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Members of the Technical Group are seriously disadvantaged, but other Members of the Dáil in general are also disadvantaged. All Members of the Dáil, Government and Opposition, should have the opportunity, four and a half years into the Government's term, to give their verdict, on reflection, in relation to the critical issues facing us. Therefore, I propose that the debate continue into tomorrow. It should be extended by at least another three hours, and preferably more than that.
We have a Government that is presiding over the worst homelessness crisis in the history of this State. There are more than a thousand children in hotels, hostels and utterly inappropriate accommodation, now exhibiting all kinds of psychological and emotional ill-effects. There are 130,000 families nationally on the local authority waiting list. Even in the dismal 1970s, right-wing Governments built up to 8,500 local authority houses per year to meet a crisis, as compared with a few hundred per year at present. We have a Government that seems totally oblivious to this. We have a mass revolt of our people against the latest infliction of austerity in the form of water charges, with a huge majority saying clearly to the Government that they will not pay and that they want that charge abolished, but the Government will not listen. These are only some of the issues that Members of this Dáil need time to reflect on. There are other serious issues, as well as the economic diagnosis. I have made a serious diagnosis: I believe the Labour Party is suffering from an acute case of mass delusional psychosis in a political sense.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Its senior leaders actually think that they are socialists-----
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
What does Deputy Paul Murphy think?
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----while implementing the most savage austerity in the history of this State for the past four years. I will tell you, Bertie Ahern's conversion to socialism had far more credibility than the recent claim made by Deputy Quinn.
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am sure the Chief Whip is no historian, but he could tell his colleagues in the Labour Party that James Connolly's view on socialism was to elevate the welfare of working people and the poor and not to enrich bankers and bondholders at their expense, which is what this Government has done for the past four and a half years.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Hear, hear.
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The ungrateful people of Dublin 4-----
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
We need time to discuss these serious issues and, therefore, I formally propose an extension of the debate.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Hear, hear.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It has always been the case in this House that a motion of confidence takes precedence over any other business, as happened in September 2007, June 2009, June 2010 and December 2014. On three of those occasions, Deputy Martin was part of the Government in respect of which a motion of confidence took place. Those confidence motions that took precedence over any other business also took place on Tuesdays.
Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Does that make it right?
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Order, please.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I intend to proceed as per the Order of Business outlined earlier.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I will now put the question.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
On a point of order-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I must also put the question on Deputy Higgins's amendment.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Before you put the amendment, a Cheann Comhairle, I would like to put a number of questions to the Chief Whip. Why is the Tánaiste not fronting this proposition today? The Taoiseach is not here. Normally, when the Taoiseach is not here, the Tánaiste steps in.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Any Member can propose a motion.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Is the Tánaiste acquiescing in these jackboot tactics?
What I would say to the Whip is that no one has an issue-----
2:30 pm
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
That is not important.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I put it to the Government Whip-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
-----and to the Tánaiste that no one has an issue-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
They are shouting down people now.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Free speech, now. Come on.
Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Come on, sit down.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
No one has an issue with the motion of confidence being the major item today, but we certainly have an issue when the Whip says that there is no Order of Business, that questions to Taoiseach's shall not be taken and that other matters may not be raised.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Chair, put the question.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
More crucially, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with respect, Topical Issues are going before Leaders' Questions and Oral Questions for Ministers are going before Leaders' Questions. Why could the Taoiseach not take Leaders' Questions at 5.30 p.m. today after the motion of confidence?
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I think, Deputy, you have raised that.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I did not get any reply to that. The very basic thing the Government Whip should do is reply to us in an open and honest manner. The Tánaiste should do it too because the Tánaiste is the Deputy Head of Government and she sent the Government Whip to do the Government's bidding.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Martin, that is not a point of order.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is absolutely contemptuous of the House that, as others have pointed out, there are more "nots" in this notice of motion. You cannot do this and you will not do that. That is now the pattern. The Government wants to shut down this House and avoid any accountability and any questions.
I want finally to say that if the Government-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Martin, that is not a point of order.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
On a point of order, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
If Deputy Buttimer wants order, I would suggest to the Government Whip that he should communicate with the other Whips, and not at 1.40 p.m. or 1.50 p.m., saying here is notice of a motion and here is the programme for legislation, with no other communication with the Whips.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
On a point of order-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Thank you. I am calling you, Deputy Durkan.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is disgraceful and contemptuous. The Tánaiste does not have the guts to come in and put this motion.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Martin, thank you. I have to call Deputy Durkan.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
She knows how contemptuous this is.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Can I seek clarification on a point of order? Have the Second Stage speeches already commenced or is each of the Opposition and Government speakers going to have a second or third chance? Is that what we are having?
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
No, it is a point of order and I have ruled it out. I ruled out that as well.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I presume we would all have an opportunity of speaking to a Second Stage-----
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Deputy Adams, is it a point of order? We are moving on. Deputy Adams, have you a point of order?
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I think we should proceed. This is becoming another bout of "Punch and Judy".
Tá
- Gerry Adams
- Richard Boyd Barrett
- John Browne
- Dara Calleary
- Niall Collins
- Michael Colreavy
- Barry Cowen
- Seán Crowe
- Clare Daly
- Pearse Doherty
- Stephen Donnelly
- Dessie Ellis
- Michael Fitzmaurice
- Tom Fleming
- Noel Grealish
- John Halligan
- Séamus Healy
- Joe Higgins
- Colm Keaveney
- Billy Kelleher
- Michael Lowry
- Pádraig MacLochlainn
- Charlie McConalogue
- Mary Lou McDonald
- Finian McGrath
- Michael McGrath
- John McGuinness
- Micheál Martin
- Peter Mathews
- Michael Moynihan
- Catherine Murphy
- Paul Murphy
- Denis Naughten
- Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
- Seán Ó Fearghaíl
- Aengus Ó Snodaigh
- Jonathan O'Brien
- Thomas Pringle
- Shane Ross
- Róisín Shortall
- Brian Stanley
- Billy Timmins
- Peadar Tóibín
- Robert Troy
- Mick Wallace
Níl
- James Bannon
- Tom Barry
- Joan Burton
- Ray Butler
- Jerry Buttimer
- Catherine Byrne
- Eric Byrne
- Joe Carey
- Paudie Coffey
- Seán Conlan
- Áine Collins
- Michael Conaghan
- Paul Connaughton
- Noel Coonan
- Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
- Simon Coveney
- Michael Creed
- Jim Daly
- John Deasy
- Jimmy Deenihan
- Pat Deering
- Regina Doherty
- Paschal Donohoe
- Robert Dowds
- Andrew Doyle
- Bernard Durkan
- Damien English
- Alan Farrell
- Frank Feighan
- Anne Ferris
- Peter Fitzpatrick
- Brendan Griffin
- Noel Harrington
- Simon Harris
- Tom Hayes
- Martin Heydon
- Brendan Howlin
- Heather Humphreys
- Kevin Humphreys
- Derek Keating
- Paul Kehoe
- Alan Kelly
- Seán Kenny
- Seán Kyne
- Anthony Lawlor
- John Lyons
- Michael McCarthy
- Helen McEntee
- Gabrielle McFadden
- Joe McHugh
- Tony McLoughlin
- Olivia Mitchell
- Mary Mitchell O'Connor
- Michelle Mulherin
- Dara Murphy
- Eoghan Murphy
- Gerald Nash
- Dan Neville
- Derek Nolan
- Michael Noonan
- Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
- Kieran O'Donnell
- Patrick O'Donovan
- Fergus O'Dowd
- John O'Mahony
- Joe O'Reilly
- Jan O'Sullivan
- Maureen O'Sullivan
- Willie Penrose
- John Paul Phelan
- Ruairi Quinn
- Pat Rabbitte
- James Reilly
- Michael Ring
- Brendan Ryan
- Alan Shatter
- Seán Sherlock
- Arthur Spring
- Emmet Stagg
- David Stanton
- Liam Twomey
- Leo Varadkar
- Jack Wall