Richard Boyd Barrett: Opposes Dáil Suspension, Demands Clear Lines
Richard Boyd Barrett said he was not attempting to obstruct the nomination of the Taoiseach or the establishment of the Government and welcomed efforts to resolve the issue. He said he opposed a decision to suspend the Dáil for another two weeks and will oppose the Order of Business on that basis.
He thanked Count Corlea for overnight efforts and sought to place on record that his remarks were not intended to block the nomination of the Taoiseach or the formation of the Government.
He argued there must be a clear distinction between TDs who are in Government and those who are in Opposition, and noted that the Government had at last acknowledged that point and made a commitment to a mutually acceptable resolution.
He said he continued to oppose the decision to suspend the Dáil for another two weeks, citing too many pressing issues for people in the country as the reason for opposing the Order of Business.
He said that if the Government honours the commitment and a resolution acceptable to both Government and Opposition is reached, the matter can be put to bed, but until then he will press his opposition at the Order of Business and in the Chamber.
Thanks and clarification
He thanked Count Corlea for overnight efforts and sought to place on record that his remarks were not intended to block the nomination of the Taoiseach or the formation of the Government.
Distinction between Government and Opposition
He argued there must be a clear distinction between TDs who are in Government and those who are in Opposition, and noted that the Government had at last acknowledged that point and made a commitment to a mutually acceptable resolution.
Opposition to two-week Dáil suspension
He said he continued to oppose the decision to suspend the Dáil for another two weeks, citing too many pressing issues for people in the country as the reason for opposing the Order of Business.
Parliamentary consequence if commitment honoured
He said that if the Government honours the commitment and a resolution acceptable to both Government and Opposition is reached, the matter can be put to bed, but until then he will press his opposition at the Order of Business and in the Chamber.
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Transcript
Thanks, Count Corlea, and thanks for the efforts overnight on your behalf to try and resolve this issue. We want to state for the record we were not in any way trying to obstruct the nomination of the Taoiseach or the establishment of the Government. Our concern, and we are glad that the Government have now finally acknowledged, is that there has to be a clear distinction between those who are in Government, TDs who are in Government, and those who are in Opposition. And if the Government is as good as its word, and honours the commitment now made, that there will be a resolution mutually acceptable to Government and Opposition, then that matter can be put to bed. However, we continue our opposition to the decision to suspend the Dáil for another two weeks. There are too many pressing issues for people in this country, and we will be opposing the Order of Business on that specific basis. Thank you, Deputy.