Opposition fury as rebels win Dáil time

The granting of Dáil speaking time to rebel government party TDs has angered other opposition groups who have had their own speaking slots reduced due to the measure agreed by the Ceann Comhairle.

Rebel Fine Gael and Labour TDs look likely now to join forces on the opposition benches as they co-operate on question time and speaking slots on legislation.

The measure was agreed by Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett and effectively means the Dáil will now have a second technical group. Up to 14 TDs have been offered the shared speaking time. But the new measure is only likely to be taken up by 10 TDs, who were kicked out of both the parliamentary parties of Fine Gael and Labour.