Just as the long-running Dáil speaking rights row seemed to near a resolution, a day of unprecedented chaos in the chamber threw everything back into disarray yesterday, Tuesday, March 25.
The image of Regional Independent TD Michael Lowry making a two-fingered gesture poured an explosive accelerant onto a political controversy that seemed about to be extinguished.
Shame on this government and their Ceann Comhairle. pic.twitter.com/iQJpFISc3c
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) March 25, 2025
It came amid an afternoon of chaotic scenes, during which TDs shouted over the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and a number of politicians were seen filming the unrest on their phones, in a direct breach of Dáil rules.
Ms. Murphy repeatedly said that the Opposition were "making an absolute holy show" of themselves as they constantly barracked her while she tried to impose order on proceedings.
She told them it was "an absolute disgrace… for the world to see" and that they had "no respect for the chair."
She also alleged that she was the subject of misogyny throughout the day, something that was later rejected by Mary Lou McDonald on the Six One News.
"You're making an absolute holy show of yourselves."
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 25, 2025
The Dáil has been suspended after a chaotic row over speaking rights | Read more: https://t.co/sWRVOJEdLj pic.twitter.com/dcapG4F4dc
"An absolute disgrace"
Ms. Murphy, who cut a stern figure in the chamber, had clearly decided that she would not suspend Dáil proceedings until a vote was called on the new rules for the ‘Lowry Lobby,' as they were dubbed by Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.
The Ceann Comhairle eventually pushed for a vote, which was won by the Government by 94 to 74, despite the Opposition refusing to appoint tellers and to officially sign off on the counting of the vote, an unprecedented act in the Oireachtas.
But Government TDs now fear the image of Mr. Lowry’s gesture – which has gone viral – will shift public opinion firmly to the side of the united Opposition and reignite the debate about his presence in Government.
The Government had thought it was out the other side of the speaking-rights row that had resulted in political paralysis since the election as Taoiseach of Micheál Martin, at the second attempt, on January 23.
That was until a clip of Mr. Lowry raising his two fingers to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy in a video from inside the Chamber after the vote passed affording him speaking rights once only afforded to Opposition TDs, while being part of the Government.
Mr. Lowry told Extra.ie that he was beckoning Mr. Murphy to "remind him of the fact" that videoing people in the Chamber was forbidden.
Other members' questions
Extra.ie also witnessed Mr. Lowry confronting an usher in the Chamber after the incident. His colleague Gillian Toole twice appeared to be filming inside the Chamber, as did Independent TD Carol Nolan.
The row centres on changing Dáil speaking rules to create a new eight-minute slot called Other Members’ Questions, which would reduce the level of questioning the Taoiseach and Tánaiste would face each week.
The official line is that it was to provide precious backbenchers with more speaking time, but most around Leinster House believe it was to accommodate Mr. Lowry and his Regional Independent colleagues who were not rewarded with ministerial office as part of the deal to form the coalition.
There was also the added complication that the Ceann Comhairle Ms. Murphy was installed into her €250,000-a-year position as part of the deal to form the Government – leading to sustained, aggressive questioning of her independence in the Chamber and the prospect of a no-confidence motion.
Mr. Lowry arrived into the Chamber as Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was asking of the Taoiseach: "What exactly does Deputy Lowry have over the Taoiseach? What debt does the Taoiseach owe him?"
The essence of her question would be repeated, and shouted, throughout proceedings by her TDs who were primed for disruption before proceedings began.
There’s no hiding place for the Taoiseach today. You can’t be in government and in opposition at the same time. What exactly does Michael Lowry have over Micheál Martin? We’ll fight this all the way! pic.twitter.com/Sq2YMmkORV
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) March 25, 2025
"What debts does the Taoiseach have on him"
Sitting in the back row of the chamber, sandwiched between his Regional Independent colleague Barry Heneghan and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, Mr. Lowry smiled wryly as the chaos played out in front of him.
A member of the House since 1987, Mr. Lowry has had a turbulent career that saw his go from Fine Gael minister for communications to political pariah who was expelled from the party and the subject of a tribunal that found he helped businessman Denis O’Brien to secure a mobile phone licence in 1995.
Yesterday, on occasions when Sinn Féin TDs Louise O’Reilly and Pearse Doherty stood and pointed at him as they shouted about Mr. Lowry, he smiled and waved at Sinn Féin whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.
During any of the Taoiseach’s contributions, Mr. Martin was repeatedly heckled, leading him to describe it as an "extraordinary, manufactured political row."
The Taoiseach had repeatedly defended the Government position throughout Leaders’ Questions. However, the Opposition continually heckled both the Taoiseach and the Ceann Comhairle.
When Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins told Mr. Martin it was a "dark day for democracy," the Taoiseach replied: "The Deputy cannot be serious. He talks about it costing our democracy. Eight minutes on a Tuesday and our democracy is gone."
"You can't be serious"
During one of the Taoiseach’s contributions, Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Pearse Doherty rose to his feet, pointed at Mr Lowry, and said: "That man is pulling your strings… What has he got on you?"
Social Democrats’ deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan told the Taoiseach that he was pulling a "shameless stroke" that his former party leader Bertie Ahern would be proud of.
As the chaotic scenes continued to escalate, the Ceann Comhairle suspended the House for 30 minutes before returning to take a vote on the Standing Orders.
"Given the disorder in the House, and that questions on policy and legislation are at my discretion under standing orders, I propose to move directly to the motion on amendment to the Standing Orders," Ms. Murphy said.
Some Opposition TDs stood, shouted, and clapped in an attempt to disrupt while Ms. Murphy read off a handwritten note as she tried to proceed.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy asked her to outline her interactions with the Government before yesterday and asked when she last interacted with Mr. Lowry, with whom she formed an Independent grouping prior to her selection as Ceann Comhairle.
"A huge disservice"
Mr. Carthy accused her of becoming part of the "debacle" and of doing her office a "huge disservice."
He said: "It is clear you are not acting as an independent chair." Sinn Féin did not hear Ms Murphy ask if they wished to move their own amendment, which meant it was not voted.
The incensed Sinn Féin whip Mr. Mac Lochlainn refused to sign the result of the vote. With the House suspended again by Ms Murphy.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie. Additional reporting by Brian Mahon.
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