DAN BOYLE TD,
Madam, - Emmet Stagg's self-serving and dishonest account of the ongoing debate on speaking time in the Dáil (November 2nd) cannot go unchallenged. Apart from his snide political mud-slinging, he is failing to acknowledge that restoring Labour "precedence" has never been an issue.
The formation of a technical group, a grouping that, despite Mr Stagg's implication, carries no political or ideological agreement, was brought about because 25 members of the Dáil had no rights to fully contribute to the workings of the Dáil.
Three independent members who were supporters of the Government in the previous Dáil have decided to maintain that relationship. All other 22 deputies - members of the Green Party, members of Sinn Féin, Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, and all other independent members - have formed a group to gain access to time that is divided between the three constituent groupings, with no one representing or leading the political or ideological interests of the wider group.
Gaining "precedence" over the Labour Party was never a motive in forming the technical group, but gaining proportionate speaking time in the Dáil was. We had, however, recognised the anomaly that developed upon the technical group being established. As Green Party whip, I had already agreed a number of concessions with Emmet Stagg to rectify the position in which the Labour Party found itself. Mr Stagg, of course, chooses to ignore these concessions and conversations because they don't suit his side of the argument.
Yes, the Labour Party did talk about supporting the right of the Green Party and Sinn Féin to be recognised, and of the right of independent members to their due speaking entitlements, but it did nothing to bring about any changes. The only opportunity Labour has taken to confront the offending Standing Order 114 has been used to allow the Taoiseach to become even less accountable to the Dáil, so that Labour could have its much valued pride restored.
No matter how much mud Mr Stagg flings, and in what direction, he cannot avoid the role that his party has played in making the Dáil less open, less accountable and less relevant. - Yours, etc.,
DAN BOYLE TD, Green Party Whip, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.