Politics

Speaking time row: Chief Whip to hold further talks with Regional Independents

Ceann Comhairle rules Independent TDs convened by Michael Lowry cannot be viewed as members of the Opposition

The group of Independent TDs convened by Michael Lowry was told by the Ceann Comhairle it will not be allowed the privileges of Opposition TDs. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins
The group of Independent TDs convened by Michael Lowry was told by the Ceann Comhairle it will not be allowed the privileges of Opposition TDs. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins
Vivienne Clarke
Tue Feb 04 2025 - 08:39

Mary Butler, the Government Chief Whip, is to hold further discussions today with the Regional Independent Group in advance of the resumption of Dáil business on Wednesday.

On Monday evening the group of Independent TDs convened by Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry was told by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy that it will not be allowed the privileges of Opposition TDs.

“The focus of the Government throughout this process was to ensure that each and every TD elected by the people is able to fulfil their mandate and have speaking rights in Dáil Éireann,” a Government spokesman said.

“Our Dáil must be able to function, with all TDs afforded the right to speak. The Government remains focused on an orderly meeting of the Dáil this week, to address the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and the business that the public expect all of our elected representatives to do.”

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Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn welcomed the ruling by the Ceann Comhairle and said this should be a moment when common sense prevails.

Mr Mac Lochlainn also told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that this “should be the end of the matter”.

It had been “a political stroke too far” for Mr Lowry and the seven Regional Independent TDs to one day say they were Government TDs and the next day to say they were going to be in opposition and ask Leaders' Questions.

“Hopefully the Government, and Micheál Martin particularly, finally see sense,” he said.

There will be a meeting of the Standing Orders and Dáil Reform committee today, following a number of “nightmare” meetings last week, the Sinn Féin TD said.

Mr Mac Lochlainn said the actions of the Government had been “a real insult to intelligence” and Mr Martin had not responded to requests to meet leaders of the Opposition over the weekend.

The Ceann Comhairle had now made her decision and “everybody should just respect that now and move on”.

The Ceann Comhairle was put in a “very insidious position” by the Government, and the Taoiseach had made no attempt to resolve the issue, Mr Mac Lochlainn said.

He denied the Ceann Comhairle had been bullied by the Opposition on the first day of the Dáil.

“Verona Murphy is a formidable woman. I don’t think she’d be bullied by anybody. What was happening in the Dáil that day was the Opposition standing up for our rights as an Opposition to do our job, to hold the Government to account.

“We were challenging head on an obvious political stroke that was being facilitated, particularly by Micheál Martin, and he continued to back that political stroke. As we speak right now we don’t know what Micheál Martin’s going to do.

“He ignored the Opposition all weekend. Hid away again, was probably going to leave it to the Ceann Comhairle to handle this mess again. I know she’s made her decision and he needs to respect that. Show some leadership and put Michael Lowry where he belongs in the Government benches,” he said.

Vivienne Clarke

Vivienne Clarke is a reporter