Minister for Education Helen McEntee has condemned the possibility of opposition parties staging a walkout ahead of a crucial Dáil vote on speaking rights, calling it an “affront to democracy.”
The government is set to hold a contentious vote tomorrow to introduce a new question-and-answer session for Regional Independents and coalition backbenchers. The proposal has sparked outrage among opposition parties, who argue that their concerns have been ignored since a dispute over the issue delayed Micheál Martin’s nomination as Taoiseach in January.
Government Defends Proposal
Minister McEntee insisted that the government’s plan does not reduce opposition speaking time. Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, she defended the move as an effort to ensure fairness.
“We’re not removing a single second from the opposition, even though that’s what they would have everyone believe,” she said. “We are making sure that there is fairness across the board. If you’re elected—whether in government or opposition—you should have the ability to raise questions and concerns on behalf of your constituents.”
The proposal, if passed, would allow the group led by Michael Lowry, along with coalition backbenchers, to question the Taoiseach on Wednesdays and the Tánaiste on Thursdays.
Opposition Parties Push Back
Opposition parties, however, argue that the government has failed to engage with them in a meaningful way. Sinn Féin Chief Whip Padraig MacLochlainn confirmed that opposition parties remain united in their stance and have not ruled out drastic measures, including a walkout, if the vote goes ahead.
Despite opposition resistance, the government’s majority in the Dáil virtually guarantees that the proposal will pass. This has heightened tensions, with critics accusing the government of undermining parliamentary debate by forcing the change through without proper consultation.
With the vote scheduled for tomorrow, all eyes will be on how the opposition responds and whether a walkout will disrupt proceedings.
