SMALLER DÁIL PARTIES and groupings joined forces this week to rail against mooted plans to cut their speaking time in favour of doling out increased time to backbenchers from larger parties.

Fianna Fáil is proposing a change to Dáil rules which would effectively slash the speaking time afforded to parties like the Greens and the Social Democrats.

Under current rules, backbenchers from the larger parties rarely get a chance to speak at debates, or they have their speaking time shunted late into the evening. Independent deputies and those from smaller parties have more chances to contribute to each debate.

“Contrary to the accusation that we are trying to silence elected representatives, we believe that all TDs should have an opportunity to contribute to Dáil debates,” a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said, in response to the complaints from the smaller groupings.

Today we’re asking: Should time be taken from smaller groupings, in favour of backbenchers?