Good morning.
The Dáil speaking rights row has rumbled on for more than two months delaying the usual legislative work of the Oireachtas and preventing the establishment of committees.
The latest twist is a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Vernona Murphy tabled by the Opposition.
As Pat Leahy, Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee report in our lead today Ms Murphy is set to strongly resist the move.
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The Ceann Comhairle said she had “at all times followed the correct procedures of the House and the advice of the impartial officials present”.
A report prepared by Clerk of the Dáil Peter Finnegan indicated that the Ceann Comhairle had acted properly and in line with her powers under the Dáil’s standing orders during Tuesday’s disruption in the Chamber.
The Government has confirmed it would table a countermotion expressing confidence in Ms Murphy with Taoiseach Micheál Martin accusing the Opposition of using “undemocratic tactics”.
In his analysis Leahy looks at two questions – can Ms Murphy endure sustained attack? And when the Opposition loses the no-confidence vote, what will its next move be?
On the first question he writes that the Wexford TD has “certainly demonstrated considerable toughness” in the past and “it is hard to see the political rationale for a resignation now.”
On the second question he suggests it is unlikely the Opposition will continue to disrupt proceedings writing that “stopping the work of the Dáil indefinitely is hardly a viable political strategy for the medium term.”
As was seen on a number of occasions during the last Dáil votes on confidence, motions can have the effect of breaking the fever of a political controversy and returning things to a more even keel.
It remains to be seen if that will be the case after next Tuesday’s expected confidence vote on Ms Murphy.
However, senior Opposition figures have downplayed the prospect of rolling disruption, with three sources saying they believe the damage to the Coalition and Ms Murphy had been done.
Sources on all sides acknowledge the row had produced a toxic atmosphere around Leinster House.
Best Reads
Miriam Lord writes that Martin hurled the kitchen sink at his detractors, but the real action will start next week.
US president Donald Trump has slapped 25 per cent tariffs on car imports while threatening measures targeting the Irish pharma sector. As our Washington Correspondent Keith Duggan reports, Mr Trump said: “We are going to be doing tariffs on pharmaceuticals in order to bring our pharmaceutical industry back.” He added: “We don’t make anything here in terms of drugs, medical drugs, medicines. It’s in other countries – largely made in China, a lot of it made in Ireland. Ireland was very smart. We love Ireland. But we are going to have that”.
Elsewhere on the front page Conor Lally reports that a Spanish-Irish investigation into the Dublin-headquartered drugs gang known as The Family has resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at about €30 million and the arrests of 20 people.
Eoin Burke-Kennedy has a story about how rent pressure zones (RPZs) have been “effective” in controlling rents but have led to a fall in the supply of private rental accommodation. That’s according to a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Playbook
Dáil proceedings begin at 9am with Minister for Higher Education James Lawless taking parliamentary questions.
Next up is Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary from 10:30am.
Leaders’ Questions is at noon.
Sinn Féin will introduce a Bill designed to prevent domestic water charges being introduced in future at 1:04pm.
Government business in the afternoon will be a second stage debate on the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension) Bill 2025 from 1:49pm. The proposed legislation aims to extend eligibility for the widow’s and widower’s pensions to surviving partners in non-marital families. You can read our previous coverage here.
TDs have an opportunity to raise Topical Issues from 5:35pm.
See the full Dáil and Seanad schedules.
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