The article discusses the tense dynamics between the coalition government led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and their opposition, particularly following a controversial deal with the Regional Independent Group. Opposition parties criticized the situation, asserting that Independents, though promising to support the government, should not sit on the opposition benches. The article highlights the two leaders' apparent ignorance of Lowry's tactics, leading to a breakdown in communication and heightened tensions. Micheál Martin's strong rhetoric framing the events as an attack on democracy reflects the discontent within the government, underscoring the fragility of their coalition.
Rather than taking responsibility for not calming tensions in advance, the response of Micheál Martin and Simon Harris was to leap astride the highest of horses to declare the scenes in the Dáil were an attack on Irish democracy itself.
It must be acknowledged nonetheless that all this only came about because the two main coalition partners allowed the Independents to pull such a stroke in the first place.
No opposition should be expected to put up with being treated with such arrogant disrespect.
Micheál Martin even called it a 'subversion' of the Constitution.
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