Standing Orders change dispute
Deputy Connolly accuses the Government of forcing through Standing Order changes against earlier commitments to work with the Opposition. The Taoiseach rejects her claims, says the changes improve Questions on Policy or Legislation, and argues some Opposition elements wanted procedural chaos.
I return to the change to Standing Orders that was rammed through yesterday. I have no doubt it was carefully choreographed and directed by the Taoiseach and the Government. That happened notwithstanding a solemn promise given by the former Government Chief Whip that the Government would work with the Opposition to come to an acceptable solution. The Government did the complete opposite. Instead of coming up with a solution, it used the situation. The change it brought was the result of an Opposition that was as united as I have ever seen in stating that what the Government was doing in giving the Deputy Michael Lowry group time was unacceptable. In the guise of changing that, the Government took away the time for Taoiseach's Questions. That time was halved and the Taoiseach is no longer accountable on the second sitting day of the week. The time for the Order of Business was reduced by 50%. The Government took away 22 minutes of Private Members' time to give to the groups. It gave priority questions. On every level, the Government misused the opportunity to deal in an agreeable way with the Opposition. It is a serious issue. Not only that, but the Taoiseach twisted language on its head and put the Ceann Comhairle in a most invidious position.
Comment on this
I absolutely reject the Deputy's assertions. What has happened with the Order of Business is to keep 30 minutes for Deputies, and to not have it for Questions on Policy or Legislation or to not have it as a second round of Leaders' Questions, which had become the practice for certain Deputies in the House. Questions on Policy or Legislation is much better now, in particular for backbenchers from all sides of the House, as per the new Standing Order. I ask the Deputy not to misrepresent the situation. Just because others in her milieu keep on saying something does not make it true.
On the commitment of the former Government Chief Whip, there were 20 hours of discussions. Nothing was rammed through.
Comment on this
There was a lot of discussion at the Dáil reform committee on the issue. I believe that certain elements of the Opposition did not want this situation to be resolved because it did not suit the agenda, which is to take a wrecking ball to the procedures of Leinster House and Dáil Éireann.