Michael Collins Calls Dáil Reform a 'Document of Destruction'
Michael Collins criticised proposed changes to Dáil standing orders and called the package a "document of destruction", urging urgent meetings with opposition leaders and the Minister of Ag Culture over farmers' concerns and speaking time changes.
The Irish Natural and Hill Farmers Association, the ICSA, and the Irish Rural Association protested about Gaillac 2 at Ag House - arguing it means more regulations against Irish farmers and stock and seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister of Ag Culture.
He said last week's Dáil reform process became "Dáil dictate" after four hours of what felt like progress, when "this document of destruction was waved at us" and, after confusion, a vote was called that he criticised as unfair.
He highlighted proposed changes that would give the Lowry group extra minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday priority questions, while also amending Standing Orders 48 so government-in-opposition questions would take place for only 45 minutes a week instead of across two days.
He urged a meeting with the leaders of the Opposition and recounted examples of what he described as performative behaviour by Deputies Batchig and Macdonald, saying letters were dispatched to the media but leaders were not available when contacted. He also addressed Deputy Doherty and Deputy Gannon directly about the debate.
He framed the dispute against "uncharted waters" facing the country - citing the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan and significant economic headwinds - arguing that small changes to speaking time pale into insignificance and calling for common sense and proportionality.
Farmers' protest at Ag House
The Irish Natural and Hill Farmers Association, the ICSA, and the Irish Rural Association protested about Gaillac 2 at Ag House - arguing it means more regulations against Irish farmers and stock and seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister of Ag Culture.
Dáil reform vote and 'document of destruction'
He said last week's Dáil reform process became "Dáil dictate" after four hours of what felt like progress, when "this document of destruction was waved at us" and, after confusion, a vote was called that he criticised as unfair.
Changes to speaking time and Standing Orders 48
He highlighted proposed changes that would give the Lowry group extra minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday priority questions, while also amending Standing Orders 48 so government-in-opposition questions would take place for only 45 minutes a week instead of across two days.
Calls for meetings and criticism of opposition conduct
He urged a meeting with the leaders of the Opposition and recounted examples of what he described as performative behaviour by Deputies Batchig and Macdonald, saying letters were dispatched to the media but leaders were not available when contacted. He also addressed Deputy Doherty and Deputy Gannon directly about the debate.
Wider context and tone
He framed the dispute against "uncharted waters" facing the country - citing the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan and significant economic headwinds - arguing that small changes to speaking time pale into insignificance and calling for common sense and proportionality.
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Transcript
Thank you. Today we have the Irish Natural and Hill Farmers Association, the ICSA, and the Irish Rural Association protesting about Gaillac 2 at Ag House, meaning more regulations against Irish farmers, if not stock, and their need for an urgent meeting with the Minister of Ag Culture. But instead, given these genuine farmers to be a time today, I am asking you to meet with the opposition leaders to speak about the speaking row in this Dáil. Last week, Dáil reform became Dáil dictate, and after four hours of what we felt was progress, this document of destruction was waved at us, and after some confusion, a vote was called, which was always on the cards that night of honesty was to be taught. In the one hand, you want to give the Lowry group the eight minutes extra time on Tuesday, Wednesday, eight minutes, Thursday, six minutes priority questions, by saying they, as well as the Government TDs, have a right to speak. But on the other hand, on the same document which you proposed, it states changing Standing Orders 48, so that the Government in opposition questions to the T-shirt will take place. Only 45 minutes a week instead of two days. Can we meet with you at the end of the day to discuss it? I am trying to bring it to a proper Council. Deputy Doherty, I do not think you are interested in the resolution. This is in a strange way you are enjoying this, and you are going to keep this going as long as you possibly can. I say that because I have got a lot of letters from the leaders of the Opposition. I recall the night I was meant to be elected Taoiseach, and we saw what happened then. I remember ringing Deputy Batchig, for example, who had written a letter in and told RT and everybody, Virgin and everybody, that they were seeking a meeting desperately with the leaders of Government. And it transpired that Deputy Batchig was out in prime time. When we then rang Deputy Macdonald, she was at home. Myself and the Tornishter, meanwhile, were waiting above the Sycamore Room. Where are the leaders of the Opposition? They were nowhere to be seen, because, to be fair to them, they had dispatched the letter, they had told the media they had dispatched the letter, and then they went off doing what they were going to do anyway. This has happened on more than one occasion. The last time I got a phone call from Deputy Batchig, I was in Brussels at a meeting. Would we meet? I had a discussion, and suddenly I am told, half an hour later on the 9 o'clock news, Deputy Batchig has written to Taoiseach seeking an urgent meeting. And this kind of play-acting is going on and going on. Deputy Gannon, to be fair, did say that we are in uncharted waters. I think we are in uncharted waters across the world, where the most profound and grave challenges are facing people. The terrible war in Ukraine, terrible war in the Middle East, terrible war in the Sudan, with very significant economic headwinds coming, let's be frank about it. The situation is very serious, it is very uncertain, it is very uncharted, and with respect through the Chair, eight minutes on a Wednesday, in addition to what was already there, eight minutes on a Thursday, pales into insignificance with what we are facing collectively as a country. And I think it is time to cop on here, and have a bit of common sense, and a bit of proportionality. I think the presentation from the Opposition is very disproportionate.