Government and Opposition parties will continue talks next week designed to agree measures to enhance the role of smaller Opposition parties and Independents in the Dáil.
Talks broke up on Thursday without agreement, but the Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, said yesterday that more discussions were planned for next week. "We are seeking a scheme that would recognise the diversity of the Opposition in the new Dáil," she said.
Sinn Féin said yesterday it would continue disrupting Dáil proceedings through the calling of votes and other procedural devices. "We are not prepared to allow the Dáil proceed as normal while ourselves and others are excluded from full participation in it," a party spokesman said.
The measures being discussed include the provision of enhanced speaking rights, and allowing Sinn Féin and the Green Party ask priority questions and have some access to Dáil Private Members' Time.
Under current standing orders, a party must have seven members elected before it is entitled to these rights. The Green Party, with six deputies, and Sinn Féin, with five, fall short of this requirement. Both parties want the threshold for recognition of parties as official Dáil groups lowered to five TDs.
While the main Opposition parties will be reluctant to give the smaller parties a more prominent role, the Greens, Sinn Féin, the 14 independents and the Socialist Party's Mr Joe Higgins argue that Dáil procedures must reflect the changed composition of the Opposition.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has announced its portfolios for its five Dail deputies. Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caolain, the leader of the Sinn Féin group, will be spokesman on the peace process and Northern Ireland, finance, health and children.
Mr Seán Crowe is spokesman on education, transport and communications and social, commuinity and family affairs; Mr Martin Ferris is spokesman on agriculture and rural development, marine and natural resources; Mr Arthur Morgan is spokesman on environment and local government, employment, trade and consumer affairs; and Mr Aengus O'Snodaigh is spokesman on justice and equality, culture, the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, international affairs and defence. He will also be party whip.