Murphy says she will review transcript on Dail business

The speaker of the Irish parliament has committed to reviewing the transcript of Tuesday’s disorderly proceedings to confirm if the order of business had been properly agreed.

Amid widespread disruption in the Dail on Tuesday as the Government sought to pass new rules on speaking rights, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy announced that the order of the business had been agreed.

However, opposition parties claim that they had called for a division on the matter.

In addition, the opposition have also questioned the circumstances around how its amendment to the Government motion was not put to a vote.

On Wednesday, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty raised a point of order with Ms Murphy, who has come under fire for her role in stewarding the contentious proceedings.

Mr Doherty questioned whether she had failed in her duty to allow a vote on the order of business on Tuesday, and whether this could have legal implications for the progress of legislation this week.

Sinn Fein, having conducted its own analysis of the exchanges, contends that Ms Murphy said the order of business had been agreed despite a TD calling “votail” or “vote”.

Mr Doherty said: “The concern I have is obviously as members of this House, one of the most important functions we have is the passage of legislation.”

He said he was raising the point of order ahead of a “crucial” piece of legislation progressing to the next stage in the Dail.

He added: “I have serious concerns whether the order of business has actually passed yesterday, and I put it to you that I am asking for a direction and a determination – maybe on the basis of legal advice as well – because I have now reviewed the audio of what transpired yesterday.

“You clearly put the question. The chief whip agreed the question. You declared the question carried, and there was a clear call for a votail which under standing order 80, subsection two, when a division is called a division has to be carried out.

“And I question now whether you have failed to fulfil in your independent and partial duty to allow that division to take place, which is clearly now on the Oireachtas website and stands out.

“The word votail stands out. And therefore, what is the legal basis for legislation that may be passed in this house later on today, never mind what happened yesterday?”

Ms Murphy said she had reviewed the exchanges, adding she would send the official record to Mr Doherty for further consideration.

Mr Doherty said the public written record was “abridged” and did not “contain a lot of what” Ms Murphy said.

He asked if she would seek legal advice on the implications for legislation passing through the Dail if it transpires that the order of business was not agreed.

Ms Murphy replied: “I will send you the official record and I will review it post sitting.”

Asked if she would review the video of the sitting, the Ceann Comhairle said: “Yes, I will deputy.”

Sinn Fein and other opposition parties have expressed a lack of confidence in Ms Murphy following Tuesday’s row.

It is understood to be considering using its private members’ time next Tuesday to call a motion of no confidence in the Ceann Comhairle.

Central to the row is the affording of new speaking rights for coalition backbenchers and a group of independents who supported the formation of Government, including Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry.

Next week’s proceedings could see further disruption, with People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy telling the Taoiseach on Wednesday: “If you think that Michael Lowry or members of his group asking Leader’s Questions will be accepted here next week, you have another thing coming.”