Courts / Ireland / Report

High Court action by TDs against Ceann Comhairle to be heard next month

Date
2019-11-07
Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

Four opposition TDs – Brid Smith, Richard Boyd Barrett, Gino Kenny and Paul Murphy – have secured permission to bring a judicial review against Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail. The challenge concerns the Ceann Comhairle's refusal to allow a motion to be placed on the Dáil order paper that would have enabled a vote on changing standing orders to prevent the Government from blocking opposition bills. The TDs argue that the decision breaches their constitutional rights and seek an order quashing the refusal and declarations that the decision is unlawful. The case was found to be arguable by Mr Justice Garrett Simons, who granted permission to proceed. Mr Justice Charles Meenan has set a hearing for 17 December, with a timetable agreed for pleading exchange. The court will later be informed whether the Attorney General will participate. The TDs' counsel, John Rogers SC, expects the hearing to last two days.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: High Court action by TDs against Ceann Comhairle to be heard next month. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Ceann Comhairle

Applicant

Opposition Bills

Applicant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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