The speaker of the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Feargháil, has written a reprimand to TDs, warning they will miss their speaking slot if they are late to the chamber. He said the practice of people arriving in at unscheduled times demanding the right to speak during debates would be “unworkable”. “At that point, other members entered the chamber and effectively a debate ensued on my prerogative as Chair to call on the next speaker,” he said. Mr Ó Feargháil warned it is the responsibility of members to attend in the chamber in sufficient time to avail of their speaking slots. “The order of speakers has been determined by an Order of the House, which the Chair is bound to observe in calling members to speak.

Source: Irish Examiner July 06, 2021 10:30 UTC