O’Donovan blasts empty Opposition benches

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Thursday) strongly criticised members of the Opposition for failing to be present in the Dáil chamber earlier for four stages of the European Parliament Elections Amendment Bill.

“The hypocrisy of the stance of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and others on Dáil reform is regularly exposed when the Opposition benches are left completely empty for debates on important pieces of legislation.

“The Parliament Elections Amendment Bill passed through four stages in the Dáil earlier, without a single member of the Opposition present. This is an important piece of legislation dealing with the redrawing of constituencies for the upcoming European elections, yet not one member of the Opposition saw fit to show up.

“During the Second Stage of the Betting (Amendment) Bill, not a single Opposition spokesperson was present when the debate began on an issue which is of huge importance to constituencies all over the country.

“This isn’t a rarity in Dáil Eireann; indeed I have observed empty Opposition benches more times than I care to remember, which really calls into question what the Opposition Whips are doing.

“Members of the Opposition like to lecture on Dáil reform and shout loudly about the use of the guillotine. If they want these proclamations to be taken seriously, they should consider turning up in the Dáil chamber first.”

ENDS