Dáil opposition draft no confidence motion in speaker

Opposition parties in the Dáil (Irish parliament) have drafted a no confidence motion in the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker).

On Wednesday, Speaker Verona Murphy TD was told that her "position is untenable".

Addressing Murphy during a session of the Dáil, the Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said she "lacked impartiality" during a chaotic session of the Dáil on Tuesday.

In a statement, Murphy said she "categorically rejects these totally unfounded allegations" and "fully intends to continue" in her position.

Combined members of the opposition parties had been highly critical of how the controversial sitting was handled by the Ceann Comhairle.

Murphy was repeatedly shouted down during the unruly scenes, prompting her to describe the behaviour of the TDs who were shouting as "an absolute disgrace".

Attempting to be heard over the noisy scenes, Murphy went on to tell the them that they were "making a holy show of yourselves".

The intervention of the Sinn Féin leader has focus renewed attention on the role of the Ceann Comhairle.

McDonald claimed there was "a clear breach" of Dáil rules by the Ceann Comhairle and she claimed Murphy "led the charge" on behalf of the government.

She said the Ceann Comhairle "lacked impartiality" and told her: "You have to go".

The leader of the Labour party, Ivana Bacik, also said her party no longer had confidence in the Ceann Comhairle.

She asked Murphy to reflect on her position, saying that otherwise the Labour party will "have no option" but to table a motion of no confidence.

Responding to the opposition, the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin, accused Sinn Féin of making "false claims" and said the party was trying to "undermine this institution".

"Sinn Fein will not run this House," Martin added.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Murphy said: "Prolonged disorder and obstruction is utterly unacceptable in any democratic parliament.

"So, too, is making false accusations of partiality and collusion against its officials and Chair."

Murphy said at all times she had "followed the correct procedures of the House and the advice of the impartial officials present".

"I call on every member of the House to reflect on and abide by their own constitutional obligations, to refrain from disorder, and to respect the rights and dignity of every other member and of the House itself," Murphy said in her statement.

Meabh Quinn said the scenes in the Dáil on Tuesday were "shocking".

"We've had months and we haven't been able to get any action done because we've been so focused on this issue. I think most young people have so many issues – the housing crisis in Ireland, and more important issues need to be addressed," Meabh said.

"I think this is shocking that this is the way our elected representatives are behaving."

Christopher O'Sullivan said it was "quite disheartening that this is how our democracy functions in front of world view".

While he agreed that the treatment of Murphy "wasn't acceptable", he said he "100% agrees with the opposition TDs that this is just completely unfair".

"You can't speak from both sides of your mouth and the way Michael Lowry carried himself – it's just not on.

"Overall the functioning of the Dáil needs to get sorted first or we're going to get no work done between now and summer," Christopher said.

Adam Stafford said it was "disappointing" that TDs were "focused on shouting at each other rather than doing what they are elected to do".

He said they should "iron out that problems that we have, that we're faced with in the news everyday, but instead we're stuck with speaking rights, it's not consequential".

Adam added: "If you ask anyone anywhere in the country, speaking rights isn't an issue that we're particularly concerned with, it's housing, health, climate change."

When asked if the Ceann Comhairle should stay or go, Meabh, Christopher and Adam all said Murphy should stay.