Politics

Verona Murphy’s turbulent first day: ‘She should have got the metre stick out’

Surprise that Murphy, a robust contributor who rarely took a backwards step in her days as an Independent TD, did not nip Dáil conflict in the bud

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends Dáil proceedings over a conflict around the foundations of a government resting on the support of Independent TDs. There is also a technical row over speaking time. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD suspends Dáil proceedings over a conflict around the foundations of a government resting on the support of Independent TDs. There is also a technical row over speaking time. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
Jack Horgan-Jones's picture
Jack Horgan-Jones
Wed Jan 22 2025 - 20:54

Verona Murphy has already broken the mould by being the first Independent TD and first woman to hold the €255,000-a-year job – but it is the other novel features of the early days of her tenure as Ceann Comhairle that are generating political heat.

First, there was the politics of her getting elected, making the Ceann Comhairle’s position an effective offshoot of the process of government formation. That was a big part of the preamble to the 34th Dáíl, and now the role assigned to her former colleagues in the Regional Independent Group has been at the centre of opening volleys across the floor of the 34th Dáil.

On Wednesday, there were the extraordinary scenes of Murphy suspending proceedings in the house four times – ultimately aborting the plan to elect a taoiseach. The surprise at this move was evident in all quarters, including among the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on the government benches.

[ Dáil shenanigans over speaking rights may herald a new era of angry, scratchy politics ]

At the root of this is a political conflict over the foundations of a government that rests on the support of Independent TDs and particularly the role of Michael Lowry – a figure pivotal in her election. It is then wrapped up in a technical row over Dáil speaking time – this would be a wicked problem for any Ceann Comhairle. Nonetheless, on the second sitting day of the Dáil, it fell to Murphy to try to find a way forward as she was targeted and tested.

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The tone was set early by Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, who stood up to make a point of order – he was soon joined by colleagues from his party, and beyond, as the day spiralled towards its first chaotic scenes. Before long, the Opposition were popping to their feet and shouting over each other to shout about the Government. They had indicated they would co-ordinate more closely in opposition – and this was a vivid, messy illustration of that intent.

[ Live updates: ‘Subversion of the Constitution’: Chaotic scenes as Dáil and vote for taoiseach suspended ]

In the evening, the Government charged the Opposition with a “premeditated, co-ordinated and choreographed” attack determined to subvert the election of the taoiseach, the Constitution and Irish democracy itself.

Could it have been prevented from the speaker’s chair? Afterwards, there was surprise that Murphy, a robust contributor who rarely took a backwards step in her days as an Independent TD, had not nipped it in the bud. One seasoned TD’s analysis was that she “should have got the metre stick out, like the first day in school”. That is certainly within her political toolkit, but the Ceann Comhairle’s role is a different job of work.

Either way, once the ball was in play, the Opposition were not to be contained: things rapidly descended into a rolling, chaotic mess – and it was presided over by the new Ceann Comhairle. In between, during efforts to resolve the impasse, she was not in the room as the party whips attempted to thrash out a way forward – this is a procedural matter, as it was not a meeting of the Dáil business committee of which she is chair. But the optics were unfortunate for Murphy.

[ In visuals: An unprecedented, scrappy and chaotic day in the Dáil ]

Murphy was also at the centre of efforts to defuse the speaking-time row in the run-in to Wednesday’s scenes, citing advice from the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser and the Clerk of the Dáil that there was ample precedent for the speaking arrangement for members of the Regional Independent Group.

It was clear from last week that the Opposition were not going to accept that and an effort to smother it with process – inviting submissions from the opposition with a deadline of Wednesday evening – fell flat as well.

The way forward is not clear but it will require political skill – and authority – from the Ceann Comhairle’s chair, and its occupant, who has attained an unusual station and prominence early in this new chapter of her career.