Taoiseach releases statement describing 'new low' after chaotic Dáil scenes

Ellen O'Donoghue

The Taoiseach has described the scenes in the Dáil on Tuesday as "a new low in the behaviour of the opposition".

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Micheál Martin said that "despite listening respectfully to the questions posed by opposition deputies, my attempts to answer were constantly and systematically interrupted and shouted down".

The Fianna Fáil leader described it as "nothing less than a premeditated attempt to suppress the rights of others to speak, and to bully and intimidate the Ceann Comhairle".

"The prolonged barracking, and the disgraceful lack of respect for the mandates of elected deputies was shocking in its intensity".

"From day one, I believe many in opposition were focused only on undermining the newly-elected government, with the aim of pressurising independent deputies to withdraw their support and reduce the Dáil majority," Mr Martin said.

He added that it is a "fundamental duty of the Dáil" to form a government following a general election.

"As leader of Fianna Fáil, I played a fundamental role in the formation of governments in 2016 through the Confidence and Supply agreement, and again with the coalition agreements of 2020 and 2024".

"In contrast, the actions of opposition have been completely disproportionate over what is essentially an additional eight minutes of speaking time on two days in the Dail," he said in the statement.

"The opposition have not lost a single minute of their time or ability to hold government to account".

The Taoiseach also said that there are "many serious and profound issues to be debated and legislated for in the Dáil" in the coming weeks, "such as protecting our economy and jobs, building homes and improving disability services, notwithstanding the global challenges."

He finished the statement by saying: "My government is focused on getting on with that important work."

Mr Martin's statement comes after chaotic scenes in the Dáil caused proceedings to be adjourned for the day after controversial changes on speaking rights were voted through, and after Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry was accused by opposition leaders of giving “two fingers” to the people of Ireland after footage was circulated online of him making a gesture towards a TD in the Dáil.