Mary Butler, Government Chief Whip, has reaffirmed the Coalition's stance on Dáil speaking rights amid united opposition from five party leaders. The opposition argues that allowing government-supporting TDs to have speaking slots undermines democracy and the integrity of parliamentary processes. They stress that Leaders Questions and Priority Questions should remain for opposition TDs only, highlighting the potential disruption to Dáil functioning caused by government maneuvering. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy noted the need to resolve this issue promptly as it hinders the Dáil's work. Butler contended that modern parliaments may not strictly fit traditional government-opposition roles.
The idea of TDs who support the Government having speaking slots makes "a mockery of our democratic system," declared the five opposition leaders in their letter.
You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time. Neither the size of a government majority nor the consequential ability to force through a government proposition can change that democratic truth,
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