SINN FÉIN’S Dáil deputies met Independent TDs Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan in Leinster House yesterday afternoon to discuss the formation of a technical group in the Dáil.
The discussion, which lasted an hour, was described later as “positive and constructive” and a further meeting is scheduled for early next week.
Technical groups enjoy similar privileges to the main parties in the Dáil, such as participation in Leaders’ Questions, submitting Priority Questions to Ministers and proposing Private Members’ motions but it is not necessary for the different elements to agree on policy matters.
Sinn Féin last month tabled a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen and setting up a technical group would mean the party could bring it to the floor of the House in Private Members’ time, provided the other members of the group agreed.
However, it might not be possible to secure an opportunity to have the motion debated before the Christmas recess.
The minimum membership for a technical group is seven TDs and the success of Sinn Féin candidate Pearse Doherty in the Donegal South-West byelection means the establishment of such a formation is now possible, provided two other deputies agree to join.
Deputy McGrath and Deputy O’Sullivan are the only TDs to have expressed an interest.
