Today’s scenes in the Dáil marked a new low in the behaviour of the opposition.
Despite listening respectfully to the questions posed by opposition deputies, my attempts to answer were constantly and systematically interrupted and shouted down.
It was nothing less than a premeditated attempt to suppress the rights of others to speak, and to bully and intimidate the Ceann Comhairle.
The prolonged barracking, and the disgraceful lack of respect for the mandates of elected deputies was shocking in its intensity.
From day one, I believe many in opposition were focused only on undermining the newly-elected government, with the aim of pressurising independent deputies to withdraw their support and reduce the Dáil majority.
Let me reiterate. It is a fundamental duty of the Dáil to form a government after a general election.
As leader of Fianna Fáil, I played a fundamental role in the formation of governments in 2016 through the Confidence and Supply agreement, and again with the coalition agreements of 2020 and 2024.
In contrast, the actions of opposition have been completely disproportionate over what is essentially an additional eight minutes of speaking time on two days in the Dail.
The opposition have not lost a single minute of their time or ability to hold government to account.
There are many serious and profound issues to be debated and legislated for in the Dáil in the weeks ahead, such as protecting our economy and jobs, building homes and improving disability services, notwithstanding the global challenges.
My government is focused on getting on with that important work.
-ENDS-
