'An affront to Irish democracy': Messages to Taoiseach show public anger at speaking rights row

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'An Affront To Irish Democracy': Messages To Taoiseach Show Public Anger At Speaking Rights Row
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told the Dáil speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?".
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James Cox

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told the Dáil speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?".

Opposition disrupted the election of Taoiseach Micheál Martin over the row in January, and it continues to delay the formation of Dáil committees and other business.

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The long-running speaking row is over Government's attempts to secure speaking time for Regional Independent TDs, led by Michael Lowry, who support the Coalition.

Opposition parties are united in their condemnation of this.

The Government used its majority on the Dáil Reform Committee to push through proposals to change Dáil rules to allow speaking time for the TDs, which they say would be separate to Opposition time. 

In response, the Opposition has withdrawn the Dáil 'pairing' arrangement. The arrangement saw TDs agree not to participate in Dáil votes to allow for a Minister or Government TD’s absence. 

On Friday, Opposition parties outlined plans to enter an amendment to the Government’s motion to change Dáil rules, which the Sinn Féin leader said will “solve” the row over speaking rights.

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Mary Lou McDonald vowed that opposition parties will “face the Government down” on the deepening row

Mr Martin previously claimed the public "aren't excited" about the speaking rights row.

However, messages to the Taoiseach, seen by BreakingNews.ie following a Freedom of Information request, show the public are very angry about the issue.

The messages, sent on are after January 22nd when the Dáil was suspended as opposition TDs protested over the matter and blocked the nomination of the Taoiseach, were all critical of the Government.

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They supported the Opposition's efforts to block the move and their "rightful indignation".

The Opposition has put on a united front in the Dáil speaking rights row.

On the evening of January 22nd, one person wrote: "I think it's utterly farcical that TDs who support the Government are attempting to speak on Opposition time.

"I fully support attempts to disrupt proceedings today as this cannot stand."

A message on the morning of January 23rd read: "Micheál, is this the start of a dictatorship? You're deliberately taking away the democratic rights of the Opposition by cutting down their speaking time. The Independents who helped you form government have no place on the opposition benches taking time away from your actual opposition.

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"This is an affront to Irish democracy. The painting of the opposition parties (Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats etc) as the bad guys in this scenario is a deliberate projection on your part to avoid accountability for your shady dealings."

The message went on to accuse the Government of other "shady dealings" in "your roll back of the Occupied Territories Bill, implementation of 'hate speech' (who determines what is and what isn't hate speech? We already have laws for this) legislation are two extremely worrying examples".

The person concluded: "Do you intent to be an authoritarian regime? You are showing all the signs of it."

'MAGA world'

Another message, addressed to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, said attempts to have Regional Independents TDs speak during opposition time "would not be out of place in a MAGA world".

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"I am writing to express my utter disappointment at what transpired in the Dáil the other day. And by this, I mean your proposal to have part of the Government, i.e. independents supporting the government agenda, having speaking time taken from Opposition allowance.

"In my honest opinion, it was a low down trick of the seediest order, and would not be out of place in a MAGA world. I am dismayed that you would think it is in keeping with the values of honesty, transparency, dignity and trustworthiness (which you need to have to run a country) to even suggest it, much less that you collectively sought to portray the rightful indignation and pushback from the opposition benches as unconstitutional.

"I am appalled at this, and having been a voter for both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over the years, I will be considering all the alternatives for future votes. And as for the lack of women in the Cabinet, or diverse representation in general? There are no words."

An email on Monday, January 27th, had the subject line "Stroke Politics".

It read: "I wanted to make you aware of the attempt by you and your colleagues to 'pull a stroke' in the Dáil. As a supporter of yours in the past I think that this attempt at a stroke and your association with and support of persons of questionable repute does incredible damage to the political system.

"I am not a supporter of Sinn Féin but I am a supporter of democracy. It now seems that we could have a puppet Taoiseach with the direction coming from an individual whose history seems to suggest his greatest achievement is his personal gain both financially and politically. Do not embarrass yourself and the intelligence of the nation with your tirades about democracy."

A number of the messages criticised the Government's association with TD Michael Lowry, the informal leader of the Regional Independent Group.

In 1996, he stood down from government and resigned from the Fine Gael party. He continued his political career as an Independent TD.

The Moriarty Tribunal, established in 1997 to investigate payments to politicians and related matters, found he had had an “insidious and pervasive” influence over the awarding of a mobile phone licence to Denis O’Brien’s Esat Digifone company.

Despite the controversy, he has won seven consecutive elections as an independent TD, consistently topping the polls each time.

After the most recent general election, he had a role in government formation talks as lead negotiator for the Regional Independent Group.

A number of the messages criticised the Government's association with Michael Lowry.

One 72-year-old told the Taoiseach they had voted for Fianna Fáil for the first time, "quite simply because I like and respect you personally and I wanted an experienced and safe pair of hands at the tiller as we navigate the turbulent waters of world affairs ahead of us".

The person added that he strongly objected to allowing Michael Lowry, into government at all, and "to the insane idea that TDs can officially support the government and have opposition speaking rights at the same time".

Another email was addressed to the Taoiseach and RTÉ broadcaster Claire Byrne. The author expressed anger at an interview with Minister of State Niall Collins on Ms Byrne's show.

"His insane defence of Michael Lowry to have speaking rights in opposition while supporting the Government is a step too far. If Lowry and his cronies want speaking rights then they must get time to speak out of the Government's time.

"Extending Dáil speaking time to accommodate these members confused about whether they are in the Opposition or Government supporters would be a complete farce and likely unconstitutional."

Another person referred to Mr Martin's past criticism of Mr Lowry. "There was a time when you claimed there was no place in politics for Michael Lowry. Are your principles so cheaply bought?"

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Blatant attack on our democracy.

A "concerned citizen" wrote: "I am deeply troubled by the allocation of opposition speaking time to Michael Lowry's Regional Independent Group. This proposal is not only a blatant attack to our democracy but also a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of our political system.

"The idea of granting opposition speaking time to a group that is not a legitimate opposition party is a flagrant attack on the democratic process. It distorts the balance of power and unfairly advantages those who do not represent the broader interests of the Irish people.

"This move appears to be nothing more than a capitulation to the bullying demands of Michael Lowry, and it is deeply disappointing to see such a compromise being considered."

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