Eclectic group adds spice to opposition

INDEPENDENT TDs are the only political grouping who have been represented in every Dáil since independence was achieved in 1922.

While they have often played important roles in government by holding the balance of power, they have never been so important in opposition as they will in the Dáil term that starts today.

Yesterday, a disparate array of 16 individual TDs, who won seats on a wide range of policy platforms, came together to form the second biggest grouping in opposition.

The Dáil technical group will give them equal rights as party members in terms of speaking time, parliamentary questions and committee membership.

The group will include 11 Independent TDs and five others who are part of the United Left Alliance (ULA).

The technical group is a mix of free-market libertarians and right-wing economists — who happen to share the same banking policies — with a socialist property developer and cannabis activist.

The differences between members of the opposition rainbow group will ensure they provide as much intrigue as the Fine Gael-Labour coalition.

With the Government holding more than 110 seats, the voices of these independents in opposition will be needed more than ever to hold the coalition to account.

Their fractured nature and diverse range of beliefs risks leading to an array of individuals struggling to steal the limelight and frequently fighting between themselves while ignoring their responsibilities as opposition TDs.

But all the indications are that they will organise effectively, combining their range of expertise and experiences to become a robust defender of the public interest and effective watchdog of the Government.

The important job of challenging the Taoiseach during leaders’ questions will rotate between the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins, right-wing Shane Ross and left-wing Finian McGrath.

Mr Ross said there were “extraordinarily diverse views” in the group, but all sides insisted it is purely technical and not political.

Mr Higgins said the arrangement will ensure speaking time is fairly allocated among the members “hopefully catering for the interests of the various issues people want to pursue”.

He said: “There is no political implication in this. Deputy Ross will be speaking for himself, he will be very much on the right of the economic spectre, we in the ULA would be very much on the left.”

Mr McGrath, who arranged the meeting that led to the group’s formation, insisted it will work together despite political differences.

And their co-operation will be vital to the success of the next Dáil when a strong Government will be worth nothing to the country without a strong opposition to keep it under careful scrutiny and expose its mistakes.

“The role of the opposition particularly in this Dáil and particularly in the technical group is going to be vitally important,” said Mr Ross.

“From our different view points, Joe Higgins and Finian McGrath and I will be able to hold the government to account.”

While they have no hope of being able to vote down any laws proposed by the government, they will influence its decisions, Mr Ross said: “It’s a matter of raising these issues, bringing them to the public consciousness and putting pressure on the government that way.

“It’s an extraordinary important and vital role if we use it properly. Between us, from different view points and all the other extraordinary talented diverse voices in the technical group, we will be able to do it and we’ll be a very vocal and challenging and pushy opposition.”