There were heated and bitter exchanges in the Dáil yesterday as the Government parties and Labour joined forces to change standing orders and reduce the prominence of the technical group made up of the Green Party, Sinn Féin and a number of Independents.

As expected they had a comfortable majority of 77 votes to 38. Deep divisions emerged within the Opposition, as Labour traded sharp words, with Sinn Féin in particular.

The revised standing orders mean that Labour is restored as the second-largest grouping in the House for the purposes of asking questions and contributing to debates. They also mean that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will not have to take the Order of Business on Thursday and answer Opposition questions, which was the norm for previous Taoisigh. Yesterday's order of business was taken by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.

The Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, said there was a difference between a technical group coming together and a parliamentary group of one voice.While the technical group would be entitled to speaking time and priority in other areas, "we propose to restore the status and priority to the political parties that the public voted for and to whom they have a mandate".

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the proposal amounted to a denial of democracy and an abdication of the Taoiseach's responsibility. "It makes a mockery of this House. It does down the trust and confidence that the people placed in the elected representatives her. It gives the 'Harvey Smith' to this chamber. It is the most scurrilous piece of political skulduggery I have seen in years."

Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the change in standing orders was a disgrace and made a mockery of Dáil procedure. He appealed to Labour to "come back from the brink of their sordid arrangements with the Government" and not give "an endorsement to the Taoiseach to absent himself from accountability to the House".

The outgoing Labour leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, said he had a great sense of history listening to Mr Ó Caoláin making appeals to the Labour Party. "God knows how many times we made appeals to his party to stop killing people and to enter this chamber."

Mr Ó Caoláin described Mr Quinn's remark as "disgraceful". Mr Quinn: "They took a long time coming here, but they are welcome nevertheless". Mr Ó Caoláin: "The deputy should withdraw the remark. It is disgraceful." Mr Quinn: "I will repeat it if the deputy likes. They took a long time coming here. They are late arrivals, but are welcome no matter how late. I will not be lectured by Deputy Ó Caoláin or his party on democratic procedure."

Despite Opposition objections, the Government adjourned the Dáil until November 5th. It has sat on 20 days since the new Government was formed in June. It has sat on 46 days so far this year.