Good morning,
The Dáil returns today for a new term after an intense 12-week period which included a general election, Government formation talks, the election of a new Taoiseach and an almighty row on speaking rights.
It looks as though the latter stand-off has now been resolved, clearing the way for the harmonious return of normal parliamentary business today.
Or has it?
On Monday night, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy made a decisive intervention when she ruled that Michael Lowry’s Regional Independent Group (many of whom have committed their support to Government) would not be afforded Opposition speaking rights. For weeks, the Opposition had been saying that Mr Lowry could not be both part of a Government deal, while availing of Opposition rights.
Murphy’s intervention appeared to put an end to the saga, with Opposition parties celebrating a victory and Government figures publicly accepting the ruling.
Mr Lowry, however, has made it clear there is some road left in this.
In fact, he has called for the Government to review that decision.
“We accept the ruling. I think what the ruling does is it highlights the necessity, the urgent necessity for Dáil reform. We now have a situation where four Independent members are being specifically named, who are supportive of the Government. Their needs have to be accommodated.
“The Government are going to have to review this decision and come forward with proposals. We have the Government, Opposition and somewhere in the middle, you have Rural Independents who are supportive of Government and that has to be accommodated. There is a major body of work to be done to facilitate Independent members.”
Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said there would be work in the coming weeks “on a process of reform of standing orders that ensures all TDs in the Dáil will be able to access speaking time”.
It appears that each individual TD will be invited to make submissions to the Dáil reform committee on what rules they think should be changed.
Any proposed change would need a Dáil vote. The fear amongst the Opposition is that some arrangement could be pushed through by Government that would see Mr Lowry’s group ultimately given what they want: the ability to influence government policy and prop up government, and the ability to ask questions of that same government in a no-man’s-land between the Government and Opposition benches.
We may well be returning to this issue in three weeks, when the committee meets again.
Cabinet meets to discuss trade shocks
Two new advisory bodies to help Ireland respond to potential trade shocks are to be set up under proposals due to be considered by Cabinet today Cormac McQuinn reports.
The plans from Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris come against a backdrop of US president Donald Trump threatening to introduce tariffs on exports from the European Union.
It is understood the first proposal provides for the establishment of a new US-based body that will be specifically tasked with further strengthening US-Irish relations.
It would be known as the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel, and would advise on how to deal with potential policy changes brought about by the Trump administration.
The plan is for the panel to be made up of influential professionals drawn from a range of business sectors operating in the United States.
Mr Harris is also set to ask Cabinet to approve the immediate establishment of a separate Consultative Group on International Trade Policy to facilitate dialogue with key stakeholders engaged in international trade. This group is to meet at least every eight weeks, and it will provide advice on dealing with trade challenges and opportunities.
Sinn Féin to put Occupied Territories Bill back on agenda
Sinn Féin plans to introduce a motion on the Occupied Territories Bill when the Dáil returns, Pat Leahy reports.
The Coalition has committed in the programme for Government to “progress legislation prohibiting goods from Occupied Palestinian Territories” but has signalled recently that the bill – originally proposed by Independent Senator Frances Black – may have to be entirely rewritten.
Supporters of the Bill fear this is a delaying tactic, amid signs of growing concerns in Government about the potential economic costs to Ireland of taking unilateral action against Israel.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the Government had “stalled, they’ve prevaricated and now is the time for action.” The Occupied Territories Bill aims to ban the importation of both goods and services from illegal Israeli settlements.
Playbook
Here’s the plan for the Dáil today.
- Leaders’ Questions - 2pm.
- The Order of Business and Questions on Policy and Promised Legislation will be taken half an hour later.
- The majority of the Dáil business today will be consumed with Storm Éowyn. Statements on the Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn will be heard just after 3pm.
- Private Members’ Business will be taken at 8:30pm, with Sinn Féin’s aforementioned motion on Palestine. Topical Issues are up just before 8:30pm.
Best Reads
Irish diplomats in Washington aim to banish anxiety and build ties with new Trump administration - Keith Duggan reports on efforts by the Irih diplomatic corps to respond to the Trump presidency.
Michael McDowell today looks at how Irish public policy and responses to crises such as extreme storms or Covid are debated. “It seems to me that any worthwhile processes of retrospective inquiry into issues such as Storm Éowyn or Covid should be based on a healthy and sometimes adversarial examination of the issues and options that were taken.”
Robert F Kennedy Jr passes US Senate committee hurdle.
Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Inside Politics newsletter to get our politics team’s take direct to your inbox.
