Duncan Smith criticises the Taoiseach for failing to appear at leaders' questions three weeks on, arguing parliament and the public need scrutiny after recent events. He warns that today's proceedings risk becoming spectacle rather than accountability.
Key allegation
Duncan Smith says it is unacceptable that, after three weeks, the Taoiseach has not taken leaders' questions, Taoiseach's questions or QPL. He frames the absence as a denial of essential scrutiny at a time when issues from the last week demand answers.
Parliamentary practice and precedent
Smith describes the situation as unprecedented and insists that parliamentary question time exists to hold the government to account. He contrasts the need for rigorous questioning with what he predicts will be a performative session lacking real accountability.
Potential consequences
The speech signals a call for renewed scrutiny and raises questions about access to answers for MPs and the public. Smith frames the debate as one between genuine oversight and political spectacle, urging attention to the proper operation of parliamentary procedures.
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It's utterly unacceptable after three weeks that the Taoiseach is not having leaders' questions, Taoiseach's questions, QPL, when we need scrutiny more than ever, given what we've had over the last week. It's utterly unacceptable, absolutely, I think, unprecedented, that all we're going to have today is probably spectacle when we should be having accountability.
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