31st Dáil

31st Dáil
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Legislative body Oireachtas
Term 9 March 2011 (2011-03-09) – 3 February 2016 (2016-02-03)
Election 2011 general election
Government Kenny Ministry
Dáil Éireann
Members 166
Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett
Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Tánaiste Joan Burton
Leader of the Opposition Micheál Martin
Third-party leader Gerry Adams
Sessions
1st 9 March 2011 (2011-03-09) –

This is a record of events occurring in the chamber during the 31st Dáil. Members met for the first time on 9 March 2011 and for the final time on 3 February 2016. The Government was headed by Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael.

Convening of 31st Dáil

Further information: Irish general election, 2011

The 31st Dáil convened at midday on Ash Wednesday of March 2011 (alluded to by Joe Higgins when he expressed amazement that the previous government had not returned to Leinster House "heavily stained with penitential ash")[1] and proceedings got under way with Clerk of the Dáil Kieran Coughlan reading aloud the name of every TD.[2]

Then Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny put Seán Barrett forward for the position of Ceann Comhairle. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore supported this proposal. Barrett was duly elected.[2]

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams made his maiden Dáil speech at around 12:15, shortly before the role of Ceann Comhairle was decided.[1]

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was then put forward for the position of Taoiseach by newly-elected Simon Harris, the youngest member of his parliamentary party, and seconded by newly-elected Ciara Conway the youngest member of Labour.[1] At 13:56, Enda Kenny was elected as Taoiseach by 117 votes to 27.[1] At 14:09, Kenny announced his departure to Áras an Uachtaráin to inform President of Ireland Mary McAleese that he had been selected as Taoiseach. He proposed a two-and a half hour suspension of Dáil business to this effect.[1]

Meanwhile, newly elected Wexford independent TD Mick Wallace "eschewed the usual protocol of wearing a suit" and and sported a pink polo shirt, something that would soon become a familiar feature of the 31st Dáil.[1]

TD takes ill

On 9 December 2011, Michael Healy-Rae, having earlier participated in a debate on social welfare, took ill and was advised to leave the chamber. Health minister James Reilly, a medical doctor, tended to him outside the chamber, he was brought from Leinster House on a stretcher, placed in an ambulance and rushed to St. James's Hospital.[3][4]

Penalty points cancellations

In December 2012, Joan Collins used parliamentary privilege to read into the Dáil record the names of crime journalist Paul Williams and sports star Ronan O'Gara as being among those to benefit from having their penalty points cancelled by gardaí. Justice minister Alan Shatter called Collins's action a "total disgrace" and she was reported to a Leinster House watchdog called the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges.[5][6]

Prom Night

On the night of 6–7 February 2013, the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) was dramatically liquidated after the Fine Gael/Labour coalition passed emergency overnight legislation[7] through the Oireachtas while President Michael D. Higgins was flown home from the three-day official visit to Italy upon which he had embarked that very morning.[8] This was the night before the Irish Supreme Court was due to hear an appeal by a Dublin businessman, David Hall, against the High Court's ruling that he did not have the standing or locus standi to challenge the legality of the €3.06 billion promissory note payment that was due at the end of March.[9] Hall's original argument before the High Court was that the payment of the €31 billion in promissory notes in respect of the now defunct Anglo Irish Bank was illegal as their issuing in 2010 was not approved by a Dáil vote.[10] Every IBRC employee had their employment terminated with immediate effect, with many learning of this as it was announced on national television station TV3.[11]

Dáil Éireann was called into session for 22:30 on 6 February 2013. The Opposition did not have a copy of the proposed legislation to debate with five minutes before this. They had received copies by 22:32 and the Dáil session was then delayed until 23:00. Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer tweeted a photo of the Bill at 22:35.[11]

Minister Michael Noonan blamed the rush on a leak to foreign media. Ursula Halligan said on TV3 that the "leak came from Frankfurt's end."[11]

The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013 eventually passed in the Dáil by 113-35 at 03:00 before moving on to Seanad Éireann and then signed into law at Áras an Uachtaráin early on 7 February 2013 by President Michael D. Higgins, who rushed home from a visit to Rome.[12]

The Opposition criticised the suddenness with which the legislation was rushed through. Many deputies did not have time to read it. Opposition TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: "Only 2 hours 15mins to read & vote with no details of broader deal in Europe" and noted that Ireland was bankrupted in 2008, when legislation was rushed through in a similar manner overnight.[11] John Halligan said: "This legislation is madness".[11] Joe Higgins called it "a chaotic and grotesque way to run a state, by any standards".[11]

Thomas Pringle said: "We learned more from Twitter tonight than the government told us in its contribution. That's the level that democracy, under your watch, has sunk to. Come out and tell us what the deal is, and what risks make this Bill necessary. What is certain is that the ECB will get every penny of the promissory notes. The best that we can hope for is that we get a reduction on the 8% interest rate and extend it out for 40 years." Pringle also questioned what the Taoiseach meant by saying this deal was ending a "dark chapter in our history" and wondered if the Taoiseach got his speeches mixed up.[11]

Mick Wallace said: "How does this look to the people of Ireland watching tonight? It doesn't take care of their concerns, but those of the financial markets. Tonight will not bring financial comfort to the Irish people."[11] Luke 'Ming' Flanagan said: "This Bill is nothing but cover to move the promissory notes from this supposed ‘bank’ to the ECB. It will, if ye vote for it, crystallise this as national debt. It will facilitate the situation whereby you will be able to turn something that is not our debt into a long-term mortgage. We were told by [government stalwarts] Ruairi Quinn and Brian Hayes that our debt was not sustainable and something needed to be done about it. How much is this going to save? … If our debt was unsustainable before this, how the hell does this make it any more sustainable? [...] The problem started with joining the Euro. People like Anthony Coughlan said it would end in tears – you set up a Frankenstein currency, with interest rates controlled by Germany, never suited us. Anthony Coughlan was laughed at that day; today what he said has come true. By voting for this, you start the process of putting a debt on our backs and our children's backs that ye didn't get a mandate for."[11]

Catherine Murphy said: "I'm trying to visualise how this would be if this debate was held in tandem with a deal that didn't include a debt write-down. The Minister wanted to do this in tandem with a deal: will he give us a commitment that he'll bring that finalised agreement for our approval here? Or will Section 17 [which gives him the power to issue new bonds and notes] be a monster that gives immense power to an individual that can act in the absence of any oversight? [...] Any deal that does not include a write-down of the debt is not an acceptable deal. it is not our debt. Burden-sharing should not be between us and the generations to come."[11] Mattie McGrath described it as a "farce" and said: "You're here tonight goading the opposition. [...] This gives far too much power to people who are unelected. [...] You're giving carte blanche to a new type of receiver. NAMA is like a wild animal in the woods, and you’re now feeding it."[11]

According to Independent TD Stephen Donnelly in a speech addressed to Minister Noonan in the chamber,

“ If and when you vote yes to this legislation, you will be moving €28bn as a debt to 2 dead banks, under criminal investigation, from that, to the European Central Bank. The ECB is legally not allowed write any of that debt down. The other thing it does, Minister, is it gives you power to issue securities. What that means is that you're going to be able to sit down with Patrick Honohan and Mario Draghi and say "Let's all agree to turn this 28 yr promissory note into a 40 year bond." And we in this house will have no say, we will have no vote because we will be giving you that authority in this bill. ”

Donnelly also warned that Section 17 of the Bill "could be ruled unconstitutional" and described the Bill and the manner of its attempted introduction as "very, very dangerous" and "a fundamental erosion of parliamentary democracy." He suggested that Noonan withdraw the bill and return to the Dáil "before the courts open for business in the morning, with the minimal legislation needed to protect state assets."[13]

Lapgate

At around 02:40 on 17 July 2013, Fine Gael TD Tom Barry was seen on a live Oireachtas television broadcast pulling his Fine Gael colleague Áine Collins onto his lap during a parliamentary debate on pregnancy and the availability of abortion.[14] The incident became popularly known as "lapgate" and attracted worldwide attention.[15]

Resignation of Alan Shatter

Alan Shatter resigned as Minister for Justice on the afternoon of 7 May 2014.[16]

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis

The Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis met for the first time on 19 June 2014 (in private).[17] Public hearings began in 2015.[18]

It was a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It was formally established in November 2014 under the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013. It published its final report on 27 January 2016.[19]

Shannon Airport evidence

On 23 July 2014, TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace were arrested while trying to inspect U.S. military aircraft at Shannon Airport. They explained that they had consistently raised the issue in the Dáil and had done so because justice minister Alan Shatter had challenged them to produce evidence.[20]

Alan Kelly v. Mattie McGrath

In December 2014, environment minister Alan Kelly was reported to have told Mattie McGrath to "fuck off" during a Dáil debate on water charges.[21]

Michael Lowry note to Taoiseach

A report in the Sunday Independent of 25 January 2015, it was revealed that former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry had lobbied Taoiseach Enda Kenny to have his female former press adviser reappointed to a State board. Lowry passed a note to the Taoiseach in the Dáil chamber asking him to consider re-appointing Valerie O'Reilly, who runs her own successful public relations agency, to the board of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The note read "Taoiseach, would you please consider re-appointing Valerie O'Reilly to the board of the NTA. A woman, bright, intelligent and not bad looking either!" Her initial appointment by the previous government in March 2010 provoked charges of cronyism. The incident came just three months after Kenny and Fine Gael were engulfed in another cronyism scandal involving John McNulty and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.[22] The then Fianna Fáil senator Averil Power expressed surprise at the tone of the note and said: "She probably does have strong business credentials, but to be referred to in this Father Ted 'lovely girls' sort of way is every women's worst nightmare. It also shows that we need far greater transparency when it comes to State board appointments".[23]

Lowry was also revealed to have lobbied Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe on the same matter. Donohoe told journalists at UCD that he had been "briefly" approached by Lowry. Lowry himself confirmed he had spoken to Donohoe in the Seanad chamber's anteroom. "I had been following a debate on a health-related issue in the Seanad and, out of courtesy, I informed Mr Donohoe, when I met him, that I had sent a note to the Taoiseach on the reappointment" claimed Lowry. When asked to respond to media coverage of the affair, Lowry said: "It is a load of nonsense and, frankly, more irritating than anything else."[24]

Clare Daly abortion bill

On 10 February 2015, a bill put forward by Clare Daly to legislate for abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities was rejected by the Dáil. Labour TD Anne Ferris voted against her party and was expelled as a result.[25]

Earlier, on 6 February, People Before Profit Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett told the Dáil that he had had to bury his daughter because the "cruelty of nature" had turned her into a fatal foetal abnormality.[26]

Catherine Murphy v. Denis O'Brien

During the 31st Dáil Catherine Murphy repeatedly attempted to raise concerns about the conduct of billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien. In particular, in May 2015, O'Brien successfully applied for an injunction against RTÉ preventing the state broadcaster from airing a report on how O'Brien was receiving, with the direct permission of former CEO of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC)—the former Anglo Irish Bank, a rate of approximately 1.25% when IBRC should have been charging 7.5%. This in turn led to outstanding sums of upwards of €500 million. O'Brien then wrote to special liquidator Kieran Wallace to demand that these same favourable terms that were granted him by way of verbal agreement be continued. The Irish government later appointed Kieran Wallace to conduct an investigation into these same dealings. Wallace then cooperated with IBRC and Denis O'Brien to seek an injunction in Ireland's High Court to hide this information from the public.[27] High court Judge Donald Binchy granted O'Brien the injunction and told the court that certain elements of the judgement would have to be redacted. The Irish media therefore could not report on details of the injunction.[28]

Murphy used Dáil privilege to attempt to raise the issue in the Dáil on 27 May 2015. Seán Barrett ruled her contributions "out of order".[29] Murphy attempted to raise the matter again the following day, this time with more success.[30] Lawyers acting for O'Brien immediately forced the country's media to censor its own coverage, with some media outlets confirming they had received warnings from O'Brien's lawyers.[31] RTÉ reporter Philip Boucher-Hayes tweeted that Drivetime would play Murphy’s speech; in the event, Murphy's speech was not broadcast and his tweet was later deleted.[27] Tonight with Vincent Browne (with Browne absent and instead moderated by Ger Colleran, editor of INM's Irish Daily Star) featured Colleran reading a statement from TV3 management asserting that no discussion about Murphy's comments would be allowed following letters from O'Brien's lawyers.[27] Foreign commentators covering these events for the international media suggested Irish democracy had been "wiped away at a stroke".[32]

Sale of Aer Lingus

On 26 May 2015, the government announced details of the proposed takeover of Aer Lingus.[33][34]

The following day, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin alleged in the Dáil that an internal company report he referred to as the Nyaris Report told of enomrous job losses being planned at the compeny, contradicting claims of workers' jobs being guaranteed.[35]

Also, a Dáil speech by Clare Daly (who had previously worked in the company's catering section) attracted particular attention.[36]

Labour TD Michael McNamara was expelled from the party for voting against their wishes on this matter on 28 May 2015.[37]

Mick Wallace v. NAMA

During the 31st Dáil Mick Wallace repeatedly attempted to raise concerns about the conduct of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). Like Catherine Murphy on Denis O'Brien, he also availed of Dáil privilege to do this.[38]

Dissolution of 31st Dáil

At 09:32 on the morning of 3 February 2016, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny briefly entered the Dáil chamber to announce that it would not sit again until March 10 and that he would be requesting that President Higgins dissolve the 31st Dáil.[39]

The previous day, in what was his final contribution to the Dáil before retiring, Joe Higgins had queried of Enda Kenny: "On his way to the Park, in case the Taoiseach meets an anti-water charges protest, can I suggest he takes his AK-47 for protection?"[40][41]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reilly, Gavan (9 March 2011). "As it happened: Enda Kenny's appointment as Taoiseach". TheJournal.ie.
  2. 1 2 "FG's Sean Barrett elected Ceann Comhairle". Irish Independent. 9 March 2011.
  3. ↑ O'Connell, Hugh (9 December 2011). "Michael Healy-Rae hospitalised after taking ill in the Dáil". TheJournal.ie.
  4. ↑ "Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae hospitalised". RTÉ News. 9 December 2011.
  5. ↑ Brennan, Michael (12 December 2012). "TD 'abused privilege' by naming writer and rugby player over penalty points". Irish Independent.
  6. ↑ Sheahan, Fionnan (12 December 2012). "TD Joan Collins reported to Dáil watchdog for naming journalist and rugby writer in penalty points row". Irish Independent.
  7. ↑ "AN BILLE FÁ CHORPARÁID NA HÉIREANNACH UM RÉITEACH BAINC, 2013" (PDF). Tithe an Oireachtas (Acts of the Oireachtas). 7 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Irish lawmakers vote to liquidate Anglo Irish Bank". France 24. 7 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Legality of promissory note to be challenged in the Supreme Court today". TheJournal.ie. 7 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "Challenge to promissory notes dismissed, court says TD could bring case". TheJournal.ie. 31 January 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Reilly, Gavan (7 February 2013). "As it happened: Dáil approves Bill to liquidate IBRC". TheJournal.ie.
  12. ↑ Hennessy, Michelle (7 February 2013). "President signs legislation to liquidate IBRC into law". TheJournal.ie.
  13. ↑ Donnelly, Stephen (7 February 2013). "Promnight: The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013".
  14. ↑ "Tom Barry 'severely reprimanded' by Fine Gael". RTÉ News. 12 July 2013.
  15. ↑ O'Connell, Hugh (18 January 2015). "18 months on, how does this Fine Gael TD reflect on Lapgate?". TheJournal.ie.
  16. ↑ Bohan, Christine (7 May 2014). "Explainer: Why Alan Shatter has resigned". TheJournal.ie.
  17. ↑ Barry, Aoife (19 June 2014). "After much controversy, the banking inquiry will meet for first time today (in private)". TheJournal.ie.
  18. ↑ O'Connell, Hugh (15 January 2015). "Brian Lenihan wanted to burn bondholders – but he was overruled". TheJournal.ie.
  19. ↑ "Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis".
  20. ↑ Flynn, Pat (23 July 2014). "TDs try to inspect US military aircraft". Irish Examiner.
  21. ↑ O'Connor, Niall (11 December 2014). "Environment Minister allegedly tells TD to f**k off during water debate". Irish Independent.
  22. ↑ McConnell, Daniel (25 January 2015). "Ex-minister passes note to Taoiseach seeking 'crony' appointment". Sunday Independent.
  23. ↑ Connolly, Shaun (26 January 2015). "Lovely girls' note embroils Taoiseach in controversy". Irish Examiner.
  24. ↑ O'Regan, Michael (27 January 2015). "Independent TD responds to reappointment controversy". The Irish Times.
  25. ↑ O'Connell, Hugh (10 February 2015). "'A shameful abandonment': Just one Labour TD defies party as Clare Daly's abortion bill voted down". TheJournal.ie.
  26. ↑ Kearns, David (6 February 2015). "'I had to bury my daughter' - TD Richard Boyd-Barrett on his experience with fatal foetal abnormality". Irish Independent.
  27. 1 2 3 "Ireland's media silenced over MP's speech about Denis O'Brien". The Guardian. 29 May 2015.
  28. ↑ Paul, Mark (22 May 2015). "Denis O'Brien ‘delighted’ after winning RTÉ injunction: Injunction prevents RTÉ broadcasting dealings with IBRC". The Irish Times.
  29. ↑ "‘Deputy Murphy Is Out Of Order’". 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
  30. ↑ "Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage". 28 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "[REDACTED]'s 1.25% Interest Rate". 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
  32. ↑ "Denis O'Brien injunction: what damage to Irish democracy?". 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015.
  33. ↑ "Government reveals details of proposed Aer Lingus takeover after IAG agreement". 26 May 2015.
  34. ↑ O'Connor, Niall; Ryan, Philip; Mulligan, John; McConnell, Daniel (26 May 2015). "Cabinet agrees to sell its 25pc stake in Aer Lingus to IAG". Irish Independent.
  35. ↑ Downing, John (27 May 2015). "Aer Lingus has 'secret job cuts' plan - Dail is told". Irish Independent.
  36. ↑ O'Halloran, Marie (28 May 2015). "TDs fall silent in awe as Independent socialist rises to take on Taoiseach". The Irish Times.
  37. ↑ "Dáil votes for sale of State's Aer Lingus stake to IAG". RTÉ News. 29 May 2013.
  38. ↑ McConnell, Daniel (26 November 2015). "Mick Wallace makes fresh Nama allegations in the Dáil". BreakingNews.ie.
  39. ↑ McQuinn, Cormac; O'Connor, Niall; Doyle, Kevin (3 February 2016). "Dáil dissolved as Taoiseach Enda Kenny calls General Election for Friday 26 February". Irish Independent.
  40. ↑ "Order of Business". 2 February 2016.
  41. ↑ "Higgins takes aim at Taoiseach and 'AK47'". RTÉ News. 2 February 2016.

External links

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