Another political showdown now looks likely between the combined Opposition parties and the Michael Lowry-led group of six Independent TDs over Dáil speaking rights.
The first meeting of the newly-convened Dáil Reform Group on Friday failed to bring the parties any closer to a resolution, with Opposition TDs saying the Tipperary North TD is still insisting on Opposition recognition for the group even though four of its members, including Mr Lowry, have committed to supporting the programme for government for the full Dáil term.
The group was established to address the row over Dáil speaking time that saw the Dáil descend into chaos on Wednesday amid bad-tempered exchanges and three suspensions of the chamber. The incidents resulted in a 24-hour delay in the nomination of the Taoiseach and the Government.
The ad-hoc committee will examine the situation where the four Regional Independent TDs who do not hold ministerial office want to become part of an Opposition technical group. Mr Lowry has argued that such an arrangement is allowed under standing orders of the Dáil. The Opposition has said the standing orders state designated technical groups must draw their members from Independent TDs who are “members in opposition”.
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The meeting on Friday was held remotely by video link. The meeting was told by Mr Lowry he still wanted the group to be recognised as an Opposition technical group and the two Government parties supported his position.
The committee is scheduled to hold another meeting on Monday, again by video link, followed by an in-person meeting later this week. Several sources with knowledge of the meeting said it is unlikely the issue will be resolved.
The Government parties, with nine members, is in a majority position on the committee and – in the event of disagreement – will be able to vote through its position.
Elsewhere, there continues to be a dispute between the parties around the circumstances of a key meeting involving party whips on Wednesday including who shook whose hand at its conclusion.
The meeting took place between a number of whips and the clerk of the Dáil Peter Finnegan after the Dáil had been suspended for a second time. The clerk had told the meeting that the chaotic scenes from earlier that day, including roaring and shouting, could not be repeated.
Later in the Dáil, Mr Lowry said a compromise had been agreed and he and Opposition whips had “shook hands” over it. Then Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton also said in the Dáil there was an agreement that would allow the election of the Taoiseach to proceed.
All agreed that Mr Finnegan shook everybody’s hands as they left the meeting. However, Opposition TDs were adamant on Sunday that they had not shaken hands with Mr Lowry. Sinn Féin whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said he had no recollection of shaking Mr Lowry’s hand. “I just genuinely do not remember shaking that man’s hand. I certainly wouldn’t want to shake his hand, and I certainly wouldn’t shake his hand over some kind of a deal.”
Labour whip Duncan Smith said: “I did not shake hands with any other whips. I shook hands with the clerk, that is all, and others shook hands with him only, as far as I could tell.”
Meanwhile, Mr Lowry has sent a letter to the Ceann Comhairle asking to make a personal statement in the Dáil to address allegations made under privilege in the Dáil against him by Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty. The Donegal TD claimed that information in relation to a 2001 purchase deal in relation to football club Doncaster Rovers was never shared with the Moriarty tribunal, which investigated the matter. Mr Lowry described Mr Doherty’s allegations as a “smear”.
The Tipperary North TD was not contactable for comment on Sunday.
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