Newly elected Independent TDs met this evening to discuss the possibility of forming a technical group to secure Dáil speaking rights.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath said he believed some form of co-operation among Independents was essential to have strong voices in the Dáil.
His own particular political agenda was to get services for those with cystic fibrosis, he said, adding: "We'll fight like hell for it."
A technical group allows TDs to have greater access to asking questions of the taoiseach, as well as priority questions and Private Members’ time. Under current rules, there can only be one technical group, it must have at least seven members and it must comprise a majority of Independents in the Dáil. This would suggest the group would need at least 10 members, unless current standing orders are changed.
Informal discussions started yesterday among a number of the 17 Independents (including United Left Alliance) so far returned to the Dáil .
Tom Fleming, who was elected as an Independent in Kerry South, said plans for a bloc of Independents were well advanced.
The United Left Alliance, which had five TDs elected (one Independent, two Socialist Party and two from People Before Profit), said it was open to forming a technical group with Independents in order to secure speaking rights.
However, Independent TD for Roscommon-South Leitrim Luke “Ming” Flanagan called on Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to open talks with him on agreeing a programme of work he could support in government. Mr Flanagan said he shared common ground with Fine Gael on a number of critical issues, including the urgent renegotiation of the EU-IMF deal.
Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party said the United Left Alliance believed it should be treated as a group in its own right because it was a cohesive group with five members. “Unless there are early and quick changes to standing orders, a technical group might be necessary in order to secure speaking rights,” he said.
Mr Higgins said he was open to joining up with any of the Independents, even Mr Ross. “It’s a purely technical arrangement with no political implications, and it’s a question of fair play.”