Dail-speaking motion prompts Opposition rage

An amendment to the Dáil standing orders passed this morning reducing the Taoiseach's speaking time to just three hours a week has drawn an angry reaction from Opposition deputies.

The motion, which will also see the speaking position of the Labour Party as the second-largest Opposition group restored was passed by 77 votes to 38.

Labour had sought to safeguard its position following the banding together of the so-called Technical Group comprising Sinn Féin, the Green Party, the Socialist Party and Independents. This grouping has one more deputy than the Labour party.

Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said the deal undermines democracy. "This amounts to a denial of democracy, an abdication of his [the Taoiseach's] responsibility. It makes a mockery of this house.

"It does down the confidence and the trust that the people place in the elected representatives here. It's the most scurrilous piece of political skullduggery that I have seen in years".

As a result of the motion, the Taoiseach will no longer take questions in the Dáil on Thursdays.

Proposing the motion, the Minister of State and Government Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin said motion "means that the Taoiseach has spent and will continue to spend three hours a week answering questions - which is at least a half an hour more than any of his predecessors."

"The reorganisation of that time will ensure that he will continue to take the Taosieach's questions and will continue to take the questions of a topical nature.

She said the amendment to Dail Standing Orders to reorganise the speaking order was to "restore the status and priorities.

The public had voted for the larger political parties, they knew what they were voting for and these parties should be given priority.

"The difference between a technical group coming together and a parliamentary group coming together with one voice, means that technical group have come together for parliamentary benefit and have agreed to disagree on all issues. It is simple matter of just giving precedence and priority to the political parties."

This morning, the Dáil also voted to adjourn until November 5th.

The Green Party leaders Mr Trevor Sargent said the reduction in the amount of time spent by the Taoiseach in the Dail was another step towards making "this place irrelevant" and said today's marked a reduction in accountability.

He said today was only the 20th sitting of the Dáil since the General Election. In that time, the House has passed three pieces of legislation and was now on course to sit for less days than the Northern Ireland Assembly - which is suspended.

The vote to reduce the Taoiseach's speaking time was supported by the Labour Party. Chief whip Mr Emmet Stagg said "today's changes will not remove one minute of time from any party group or member but will enhance opportunities for members to raise questions with Government ministers.

"The Labour party do not support an interpretation of the rules that gives Sinn Fein with five members and the Greens with six members precedence over the Labour Party with 21 members.

He described criticisms of the proposals as "hysterical and illfounded". Mr Stagg said: "Labour was accused of a sordid little deal by Sinn Fein. The sordid little deal with the rehabilitation here in this house of Mr Michael Lowry by Sinn Fein, the Green and Mr Joe Higgins".

Labour Party leader Mr Ruairi Quinn, on his last day in the post, received tributes from the other party leaders. The results of the Labour Party leadership election will be announced tomorrow evening.