DL discrimination aided by Government
Parties combine to exclude Sinn Féin TD
BY MICHEAL MacDONNCHA
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin has said that the voters of
Cavan and Monaghan are being disenfranchised by his exclusion from the
group structure in Leinster House whereby members gain access to
speaking time and other rights.
The comment came this week as Democratic Left confirmed publicly
for the first time that they are blocking the formation of a
`technical group' in Leinster House because they would not be
part of any group which includes the Sinn Féin TD.
Under the Standing Orders of Leinster House eight of the 14 TDs
who are not members of the Government parties, Fine Gael or
Labour, are needed to form a `technical group'. Membership of
such a group gives access to speaking time, the ability to put
down motions, amend legislation and introduce bills. A technical
group is not a political alliance of any kind and implies no
common political views; it has been compared to sharing an
elevator. Those outside such groups, TDs from the smaller parties
and independents in Leinster House, are effectively
disenfranchised.
Explaining the situation Deputy O Caoláin said: ``Clearly
Democratic Left are engaged in the failed politics of the
exclusion of Sinn Féin. And they are being helped by the
Government.
``Democratic Left have blocked the formation of a technical group
even though this would involve no political obligation on the
part of the members of such a group. There would be no whip and
no requirement for common voting on issues. It would be purely an
arrangement of convenience to gain rights which individual TDs
should be entitled to in any case.''
Democratic Left have said that they would not be part of group
which inluded Sinn Féin or ex- Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry.
But the citing of Michael Lowry is a smokescreen since Democratic
Left were in government with him and his party and the North
Tipperary TD plays little or no role in Leinster House now
anyway.
Government Chief Whip Seamus Brennan and the other whips from
Progressive Democrats, Labour and Fine Gael have allowed Pat
Rabbite of Democratic Left to attend their whips meeting in
Leinster House, even though he does not represent a group under
Standing Orders. Whips control the business of the House. Whips
also dole out places on Leinster House committees and several
have already been established.
To comply with the rule that there should be representation from
all sides of Leinster House the remaining places on committees,
after the allocation of seats to the government, Fine Gael and
Labour, are decided by drawing lots. Democratic Left are included
in this lottery but they have also been given a second chance; in
the case of the Public Accounts Commmittee they were unsuccessful
in the lottery but then Fine Gael gave one of its seats to Pat
Rabbite.
Caoimhghin O Caoláin said:''I am disappointed and frustrated with
this situation. The exclusion of myself, my party, and most
importantly, the citizens of Cavan and Monaghan who elected me,
is being facilitated by the major parties who control Leinster
House.''
O Caoláin vowed that he would be fighting the issue ``on the floor
of the House and by every means possible until justice is done''.
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