A row has broken out between the Government, Sinn Féin and the Green Party over speaking time in the Dáil for the Nice Treaty debate, which starts today.
In total there will be 25 hours of debate on the treaty legislation. But both the Greens and Sinn Féin claimed last night that the debate had the potential to become farcical because of the unwillingness of the Government to grant full Dáil status which would give them specific time to contribute.
Both parties were last night negotiating with Fine Gael for some Opposition time so they can speak on the issue.
The Fine Gael whip, Mr Bernard Durkan, said the party was anxious to accommodate all who wanted to speak. "But that doesn't mean we will be putting ourselves at a disadvantage. We will be making sure that we will get our message across, but we will give a fair shout to everybody," he said.
The Sinn Féin TD and party whip, Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh, said the situation was all the more disgraceful given the fact that Sinn Féin and the Greens opposed the Nice Treaty last time and won.
"We were given a promise by the Government whips' office in July that we would get half an hour each to lead off the debate, but they are reneging on that. We are depending on Fine Gael to allow us some time."
The debate will be led off by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen. Neither the Taoiseach nor the Tánaiste will be in the Dáil chamber for the debate today or tomorrow as they are abroad on Government business.
The Government Chief Whip. Ms Mary Hanafin, told The Irish Times last night there was ample Opposition time to allow every member who wanted to speak on Nice to make a contribution.
The debate will end next Wednesday, and a special session of the Seanad will be convened to allow it pass the legislation, which will then be signed into law by the President.