Dáil adjourns as rowdy scenes erupt over speaking rights

The government has won a Dáil (Irish parliament) vote to amend speaking rights by a margin of 93 to 74.

Speaker Verona Murphy demanded respect from TDs following many disruptions to Tuesday's proceedings.

Verona Murphy TD told opposition TDs their behaviour was "an absolute disgrace" with proceedings having to be halted for a time.

The Dáil has since been adjourned for the day after continuing chaotic scenes of shouting and heckling following the vote.

A row around the issue has been festering in the Irish parliament for more than two months since four of a government ing independent bloc demanded speaking rights to question the government.

The government has drawn up plans to facilitate the four TDs whose colleagues are part of the coalition government.

The coalition says the new proposal will also benefit other government backbench TDs who, it says, are entitled to raise questions with the government on behalf of their constituents.

Opposition TDs have united to vehemently resist the move.

During Tuesday's proceedings, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the taoiseach of "stroke" politics which, she said, was unlike anything witnessed in the Dáil previously.

McDonald also referred to one of the four independent TDs, Michael Lowry, and asked the taoiseach: "What does Michael Lowry have over you"PA Media of Regional Independent Group (left to right) Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran at Leinster House, Dublin, in January All three men have short hair and are wearing navy suits with white shirts and colourful ties. The building is a large stone one in the background with white window frames, there is a man in a green jumper and brown tros, out of focus, walking toward an open wooden door" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/>PA Media