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THE Dáil’s business committee has effectively collapsed in a significant escalation of the dispute over the appointment of former attorney general Seamus Woulfe to the Supreme Court.
Sinn Féin, Labor, Social Democrats, RISE-Solidarity-People Before Profit and the three technical groups of the Dáil have written to Ceann Comhairle to confirm their departure from the committee that sets the weekly Dáil agenda with immediate effect.
In a letter to Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the whips of the seven opposition parties and groups said that the “refusal of the Government and Minister of Justice Helen McEntee to appear before the Dáil to make a statement and receive questions and answers … is a very serious issue for our democracy ”.
The seven signatories say they view the issue as “an unacceptable and very dangerous precedent” and call on the Government to provide a statement from Ms. McEntee with questions and answers.
“If this happens, we can return to a constructive policy that can address the many problems faced by people across the country,” the letter says.
The move follows an opposition meeting at Leinster House on Tuesday night.
Sinn Féin whip Pádraig MacLochlainn told Independent.ie: “The next meeting is Thursday morning and we will not be there. The situation is very serious from our perspective.”
It is understood that Labor participation in the committee will now be considered “week by week”, while the Social Democrats are of the opinion that the opposition is only withdrawing for now.
Labor whip Duncan Smith said: “We are boycotting this meeting to send a message to the government that we are totally unhappy with their devious approach. We are not going to let this go.”
A government source said the business committee had become an “additional forum for disagreement” and was “effectively obsolete” once the new government was formed, as the Coalition has a majority in the Dáil.
They added: “The business committee was necessary during a minority government, but now it does not make sense.”
Opposition leaders have said they will hold votes on Dáil issues every week until the Justice Minister agrees with their proposal to answer questions.
“This is going to happen every week, we are going to do this every week until the Minister comes in,” Kelly told the Taoiseach.
A government spokesman said it was “a disappointing and regrettable decision by the opposition.”
“The government has always sought to work with the business committee in a constructive and collaborative way. It is surprising given the important legislation that is before the Dail, such as the Brexit Bill, the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill in the coming weeks,” they said . said.
“However, Dail’s business will continue as scheduled and the government will continue to prioritize the enactment of key pieces of legislation that are important to society.
“The opposition opposed Minister McEntee presenting the oral questions next week, where such questions could have been taken in the appropriate format. Collapsing the business committee on the format of the questions is disproportionate.”
As the dispute continued in the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl told Mr. Kelly, who was interrupting other speakers, “please don’t reduce the house to a Ballymagash situation.”
Controversy exists over Woulfe’s appointment, who supports Fine Gael, to the Supreme Court after it emerged that Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were not told that three sitting justices were interested. On paper.
The Government has insisted that proper procedures were followed for the appointment of judges.
The question of the appointment of Mr Woulfe was raised today for the first time by the co-leader of the Social Democrats Róisín Shortall.
He said it highlights the relationship between the government and the judiciary. Ms. Shortall said that the public has a right to know how the appointment was made and that there must be a “full explanation” of the criteria used in the process.
Ms. Shortall told the Taoiseach, “Respect this house and arrange for your minister to come in and answer questions.”
Mr. Martin said he has answered questions on the issue, and said Ms. McEntee will as well, as per the Government’s proposal that she respond while taking other fairness questions. But he expressed concern over Ms Shortall’s demand for a full explanation of the criteria used, arguing that this could affect the separation of powers.
Martin said only one name is brought to the cabinet and Woulfe’s name was recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB)
The problem reappeared on the agenda.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said there are “very serious and urgent questions” to be asked of Ms McEntee and that it is “shocking and unacceptable” that she does not accept specific questions. He said it is “worse” for the Taoiseach to facilitate this.
Labor leader Alan Kelly said the situation would have implications for holding future ministers to account.
He told Mr. Martin “you know how serious this is” and accused him of creating “one of the most dangerous precedents” that he has seen in the Dáil.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath claimed that Woule’s appointment was “a horse deal at its worst” and a “shady deal.”
The Taoiseach rejected this claim saying that it made it clear that this was not a horse exchange and that “any claim to the contrary is false.”
He said he followed the JAAB’s recommendation because he did not want to get involved in court appointments.
At an earlier press conference, McEntee refused to change his refusal to submit to a dedicated question-and-answer session from Dáil on Woulfe’s appointment, saying that he had offered to move his usual ministerial questions to a suitable time for the opposition.
Ms. McEntee again defended her recommendation that Mr. Woulfe be appointed to the Supreme Court.
“What can I say in this case, I made a recommendation after looking at all the names that were presented to me. He considered this person to be the best person. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Minister Ryan agreed with me. After that discussion with the four, the name was brought to the Cabinet and agreed by the Cabinet, ”he said.
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