More than two months into the lifetime of this Government, the legislative process remains stalled by an acrimonious Dáil dispute. The nominal cause is the question of speaking rights for TDs from the Regional Independents group. But events this week confirm that more is at stake for both Government and Opposition.
Tuesday’s chaotic scenes in the chamber, when the new speaking arrangements were forced through in the teeth of Opposition fury, did nothing to reassure the public that the political system is functioning well. Matters escalated further today with confirmation of a motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.
Responsibility for this sorry state of affairs lies squarely at the door of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his Government colleagues. Whether because of hubris or insufficient political nous, they failed to recognise that the speaking arrangement, and the central part played by controversial Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry, would smack too obviously of old-fashioned stroke politics. In their eagerness to copperfasten an impregnable majority, they unwittingly set a booby trap for themselves.
The circumstances of Murphy’s election as Ceann Comhairle leave her vulnerable to attack. It is clear that support for her candidacy from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael was part of the pact agreed with Lowry. That places her in the invidious position of being part of exactly the same “grubby deal” that led to the speaking rights fiasco. While some criticism of her performance in the role so far has been tinged with sexism, it is also true that her background as an abrasive politician whose views in the past have drawn widespread condemnation meant she was an unusual fit for the job.
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She has already defended her performance and made it clear that she has no intention of stepping down.
There is no precedent for a vote of no confidence in a ceann comhairle. John O’Donoghue resigned in 2009 following criticism of excessive expenses claims. O’Donoghue made that decision after Labour leader Eamon Gilmore expressed no confidence in him. This time, with all leaders of the current Opposition ranged against her, the pressure on Murphy will be significant. But the decision is hers alone to make and the Government’s majority assures her of victory should she decide to remain.
That, however, is not the full story. By tradition a ceann comhairle serves all members of the Dáil. A partisan divide in support for the office holder will deepen the fractious and sometimes personal antagonisms which have emerged between this Government and its opponents. That may be unavoidable. But it will be deeply regrettable if it impedes the tasks of governing and legislating.
