Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Taoiseach Enda Kenny (File photo) Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Dáil

'Two weeks of backslapping is really over the top and it's quite unprecedented'

The government has admitted that legislation is not ready to come before the house as the Dáil again spends several hours this week debating the government’s priorities for the year ahead.

THE GOVERNMENT’S decision to devote more Dáil time to statements on its priorities for 2014 this week has been criticised, with Fianna Fáil describing it as “over the top” and “quite unprecedented”.

There was much criticism of the coalition’s decision to spent some 11 hours last week allowing ministers and TDs to discuss ‘Statements on the Government’s Priorities for the Year Ahead’.

One opposition deputy described it as “three-day festival and orgy organised by the government”, while another said statements from the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste were “a load of bulls**t”.

The Dáil is due to spend around seven hours this week debating the government’s priorities for the year ahead with dozens of backbenchers set to make statements, much to the annoyance of Fianna Fáil whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

The Kildare South TD claimed the lack of Bills before the house this week is because the legislative pipeline “is literally log-jammed and legislation is not available to be discussed”.

Government chief whip Paul Kehoe admitted that there was legislation that is “not quite ready” to come before the house, including the vast Companies Bill and the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill, which he said were two “complex bills” that are still being worked on.

“This is part of the Dáil reform package we announced in October,” he insisted. “The opposition have been giving out for the last number of years about being able to hold government to account.

“I believe the opposition have failed themselves in using the debate on the priorities for the year ahead in the way they have used them. They’re too interested in pot shots and cheap headlines.”

‘Brings Dáil into disrepute’

But Ó Fearghaíl said: “They have about 25 apparently backbenchers who haven’t yet had the opportunity to speak and congratulate their bosses on what a wonderful job they’re doing in government.

“That brings the Dáil, in my view, into a degree of disrepute and is somewhat cynical.”

Several government backbenchers contacted by TheJournal.ie last week said privately that they agreed with the coalition’s decision to “take stock” of its achievements over the past three years and said it gave them a rare opportunity to speak in the Dáil.

However, one senior Fine Gael source questioned whether it was necessary to devote so much time to statements in the house.

Ó Fearghaíl pointed out that an evaluation of the government’s progress “goes on in committees on a day-by-day basis where the actual proposals are explored in depth”.

He added: “Two weeks of backslapping is really over the top and its quite unprecedented in terms of the business of these houses.”

VIDEO: Dáil hears about ‘three-day festival and orgy organised by the government’

Revealed: Taoiseach was ‘anxious’ for his TDs to support ‘three days of backslapping’ in Dáil

WATCH: ‘What a load of bulls**t’: TD’s ‘wet dream’ remarks land him in hot water

Your Voice
Readers Comments
19
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.