Mattie McGrath accuses government of 'trapeze act' over rushed legislation
Deputy Mattie McGrath challenged the government over what he called a 'trapeze act' in timing an election and rushing six pieces of legislation into a seven hours and 27 minutes debate. He objected to guillotine procedures, raised concern that the Hayes Peace Bill was included on the agenda, and urged the government to call a general election so voters can decide.
Main accusation
McGrath criticised the government's credibility and accused the leadership and ministers of a circus-like approach to managing the parliamentary calendar. He said the government was performing a 'trapeze act' and derided the handling of business as theatrical rather than substantive.
Legislation and timetable
The deputy objected to six pieces of legislation being constrained to seven hours and 27 minutes of debate and described the measures as being subject to guillotine procedures. He warned this would muzzle debate and deny the public and deputies adequate opportunity to speak on important bills, including the Hayes Peace Bill, which he said had been included in the rushed programme.
Call for an election
McGrath said it was "time that you went to the country" and demanded that the government stop the theatrical manoeuvres and allow voters to make a decision. He repeatedly urged that the curtain be pulled and an election be held rather than continuing with what he described as rushed business.
Government response
A government speaker responded in the chamber that the finance bill would be passed and that there would be a general election this year, adding that it would take place on a Friday. The response also noted that the government would reflect on the objections and come back on scheduling matters.
Northern Ireland and unification remarks
In response to a separate point in the debate, the government speaker addressed the issue of island unification and a poll he had not seen. He said the priority had been to get institutions back up and running, to work with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, to reset Anglo-Irish relations, and to invest in a shared island and shared future. He anticipated that the question of the next five years of work on these issues would be part of the general election conversation and said the business committee could consider scheduling a debate in the coming weeks.
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When is your credibility going to be as you now say you're going to have an election before year end? You told us all the time in the term which is next February, March. Now we're going to have a trapeze act with yourself and Minister Tarniste and Minister Roderick O'Gorman putting the curtain together maybe and one you might pull it faster than the other, the curtain on this house when it's going to be finished after all your machinations. You should be in the circus I think rather than here. I'm objecting to the business this week because there's six pieces of legislation and we have seven hours and 27 minutes to debate them. all rushed and guillotine legislation, some very important pieces of legislation, as I said, it's all here on the agenda and you have of course included in it, the Hayes Peace Bill. So you don't want the people to have the right to speak freely or openly. You won't look after them in any shape maker forum. You won't even give a date so they can vote you in or out and now you want to muzzle them and not allow them. This is guillotine here as well tomorrow so I think it's time that you went to the country. It's time you got off your trapeze and pulled the curtain and let us off. Thank you. Deputy. Deputy Mag Euan so firstly I'm a little bit confused. On the one hand you want me to call an election and get them out and have the election, and the other day you are very upset that we might have an election and therefore it's rushed so let us know. ?! Thank you very much. Thank you. We will reflect your views and come back to you on is 11 minutes. There will be a general election shortly, and I look forward to it. You are here long enough to know, that is not how it works at all, but we have made it very clear we will pass the finance bill and there will be an election, it will take place this year and it will be on a Friday. It does not take a genius to work that out. In relation to Deputy McLaughlin's point regarding the issue of unification of our island and a poll which I have yet to see, but I will read my priority and the priority of government has been to work, can the institutions back up and running, working with your own colleague, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, having a reset of Anglo-Irish relations and indeed investing significant amounts in a shared island and a shared future. I think there will be a legitimate conversation and debate to be had during the general election about what that next five years of work looks like, I am sure all parties will bring forward their ideas and I genuinely look forward to engaging constructively on that. I am sure if there is time to schedule a debate in the coming weeks, I am sure that is something that we can consider at the business committee. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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