Fine Gael's new justice spokesman has accused Sinn Féin, the Green Party and the Independents of being self-righteous timewasters.
Mr John Deasy, (FG, Waterford) hit out at his colleagues on the Opposition, in the ongoing row over Dáil procedures and speaking time allocated to the smaller parties and independents.
Mr Deasy said: "I have been in this House about two weeks and all I have heard is the Green Party, Sinn Féin and others complaining about the allocation of time. They are the greatest time-wasters of all," he said.
"It is time they got off their high horses, stopped being so self-righteous about these things and did some work so that we can get things done."
He added that "they are wasting everyone else's time on pointless procedures. They are wasting our time and ultimately, they are wasting the people's time."
Mr Deasy's comments followed challenges to votes by the small parties on the Order of Business, each of which takes 20 minutes to do manually.
They have also called quorums, which delay proceedings briefly while the bells are rung to ensure 20 TDs are in the House for the issue under discussion.
However, Mr Dan Boyle (Green, Cork South Central) said: "We want proportionate speaking rights. We do not want them on a grace and favour basis. Once that happens, I am sure we can proceed with the business of the House," said Mr Boyle
He pointed out that during a previous debate "I advanced a number of arguments about why the measure was wrong. I exercised my right as a Member of the Dáil to call a vote. I do not regard that as messing with procedures."
The two smaller parties and independents have called for a change in standing orders to give them recognition as parties or as a "technical group" so that they would have the right to ask leaders' questions on the Order of Business, to ask priority questions of Cabinet Ministers and have more speaking time in debates.
On Tuesday, the Taoiseach said the party whips should discuss the issue during the summer recess.
