The Government has being accused of 'stroke politics' after blocking Fianna Fáil legislation from proceeding to committee stage.
The justice committee was told this morning it can not proceed with Jim O'Callaghan's Judicial Appointments Commission Bill because it involves a charge to the taxpayer which the opposition can't do.
The Government had opposed the second stage of the legislation in the Dáil but didn't vote against it.
Deputy O'Callaghan (pictured) was furious at how the government blocked this at the last minute: "I think it is an act of extreme disrespect to this elect committee, it is an act of disrespect by the executive branch of this Government and to the legister and I just think it is important that that disastisfaction be put on the record, and I think it needs to be described for what it is, this is a stroke by the Government trying to stop the Oireachtas doing their job and introducing legislation."