A row has broken out over a bid to boost Dáil speaking rights for some Independents who are supporting the incoming government. The proposal from the Independent TDs to be part of a so-called technical group has prompted Opposition outrage.
Q: What is a technical group?
A: Under the standing orders of the last Dáil, Opposition TDs who band together in a technical group of at least five TDs can avail of various rights not open to sole traders or government backbenchers. Groups have regular opportunities to quiz the taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions. They can nominate members to present motions or proposed legislation to the Dáil. Such groups cannot include senior or junior ministers.
Q: Who would be in the proposed technical group?
A: Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry – who outlined the proposal at the Dáil’s business committee on Thursday – and other members of the Regional Independent Group who are signed up to back the government, but did not get ministerial roles. They are Dublin Bay North TD Barry Heneghan, Meath East TD Gillian Toole and Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae. Other members of the group would be from the Opposition – Aontú TDs Peadar Tóibín and Paul Lawless, and Offaly Independent Carol Nolan.
Q: So what is the problem?
A: When the proposed make-up of the technical group emerged at the business committee, Opposition parties responded with outrage. They view it as Government TDs eating into Opposition speaking time. Sinn Féin’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said afterwards “you can’t have your cake and eat it”, and he has highlighted the existing standing orders which state that a group “is a body of members in opposition”. Sinn Féin has confirmed it is seeking legal advice on the matter.
Q: What is the argument on the Independents’ side?
A: Lowry has argued that the lack of ministers in the proposed group means “we’re in compliance with the rules”. He said Independent TDs are “entitled to have the same access and privileges” they had in the last Dáil. He also cited how he had supported “the last five or six governments from the Opposition benches. There’s nothing different about it.”
Q: Who will decide on all of this?
A: The Oireachtas has said it is a matter for new Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy “having taken any necessary legal and procedural advice, to determine whether or not a technical group will be recognised”. Murphy was a member of the Regional Independent Group, which nominated her to be Ceann Comhairle. Her decision on the technical group proposal now is therefore somewhat awkward and will be closely watched. She has some time to consider the matter. The determination cannot be made until some point after the government is officially formed next Wednesday.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
