The leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald has called out a Waterford TD on national radio, for supposedly making a “thumbs up” gesture in Dáil Éireann.

The claims come following a week of turmoil in the Dáil, with the ongoing row over speaking rights and the confidence of the opposition in the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy overtaking proceedings.

There were chaotic scenes of shouting and interruptions on Tuesday as weeks of tension over the speaking rights row boiled over during Leaders’ Questions.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy tried to continue Dáil proceedings as opposition TDs took to their feet and objected to the Government’s proposals.

Independent TD Micheal Lowry also raised two fingers up to members of the opposition, which was evident in a video that has been widely shared on social media.

Deputy Lowry said the two-fingered gesture he made to another politician in the Dáil has been “taken out of context”, adding that it was “not intended to be offensive or to cause offence”.

In a radio interview with Newstalk Ciara Kelly this morning, Mary Lou McDonald said that the Government Chief Whip and Waterford TD Mary Butler made a gesture of her own at the Ceann Comhairle, where Deputy McDonald claims this was a gesture meaning Deputy Butler agreed with the Ceann Comhairle.

“One moment stands out for me”, said Deputy McDonald, “The job is being done, the vote rammed through and the Ceann Comhairle got a thumbs up from the Government Chief Whip [Mary Butler].”

Mary Butler response

Minister for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said she “cannot believe” the reaction of the opposition when it comes to speaking rights in the Dáil, and profusely rejected claims of a “thumbs up” to the Ceann Comhairle.

Deputy Butler further continued on Déise Today saying she saw her Waterford counterpart David Cullinane as a Government colleague but was disappointed to learn he also went on national radio this week with claims that he said Deputy Butler gave a ‘gesture’ to Verona Murphy.

Further to that, Deputy Butler said several Sinn Féin Politicians went on national media, claiming she made a gesture toward the Ceann Comhairle.

“Later on that afternoon, David Cullinane who I would have regarded as an Oireachtas colleague, went on drive time [national radio] and accused me of a [gesture] with the Ceann Comhairle. Anyone who knows me, and I’ve been around quite a while knows I never wink. I just don’t do it.

“That carried on then to Deputy Pierce Doherty on Prime Time last night who also accused me of a gesture. We have now gone from a nod and a wink to a thumbs-up. Deputy Matt Carthy continued that conversation on the late debate last night, accusing me of collusion.

“For Sinn Féin to talk about collusion is laughable in my opinion, but I take great umbrage to that. I have a job to do as Chief Whip to make sure the government has a working majority. Every Chief Whip that came behind me and will come ahead of me has the same job to do

“There’s 120 minutes of Dáil time coming up between 10 and 12, and government has 20 minutes, backbenchers have none. The opposition has 100 minutes. The changes that I have put in place, which were voted through yesterday by a margin of 21 votes,  will mean that next week, all opposition groups, apart from Sinn Féin, who will keep their 20, will increase from eight minutes to 10 minutes. There will be a small slot there for government backbenchers and independents who have no place to speak at that time.

“We’re talking about a 10-minute slot. We’re talking about two additional questions to the Taoiseach on a Wednesday and the Tánaiste on a Thursday after leaders’ questions. Not a second being lost from opposition time. Eight minutes is what we are talking about here.

“The Dáil sits for 101 days a year. And these questions are going to be taken twice a week. That means they’ll be taken about 65 times in a year. There’s 60 TDs who will be asking a question. So they will probably get to ask a question once a year of the Taoiseach. That is what we are arguing about.

“I just cannot believe the reaction of the opposition.”

Ceann Comhairle

In a statement, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy said she rejects claims by the opposition that she is colluding with the Government.

Under her position, the Ceann Comhairle must remain impartial.

A vote of no confidence in Verona Murphy proposed by the opposition is expected to be defeated.

The Ceann Comhairle released a statement earlier this week.

‘I categorically reject these unfounded allegations’

“Prolonged disorder and obstruction is utterly unacceptable in any democratic parliament,” her statement began.

“So too is making false accusations of partiality and collusion against its officials and chair.

“By virtue of the independence of the office of Ceann Comhairle, I am in the unenviable position that I cannot descend at will into debate to defend myself against the entirely false allegations of collusion made against me in the Dáil today.

“I categorically reject these totally unfounded allegations. I have at all times followed the correct procedures of the House and the advice of the impartial officials present.

“The clerk of Dáil Éireann has independently prepared a report on yesterday’s proceedings detailing the procedures followed. It has been laid before the Dáil and accordingly is a public document.

“I fully intend to continue to carry out the onerous office to which I was elected in accordance with the solemn undertakings I gave the Dáil upon my election.

“I call on every member of the House to reflect on and abide by their own Constitutional obligations, to refrain from disorder, and to respect the rights and dignity of every other member and of the House itself.”

The clerk of the Dáil also confirmed proceedings were conducted in accordance with procedures.

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