Row over regional independents staying in opposition despite members in government

TDs strongly critical of proposal that Regional Independent TDs who will not serve as ministers sit on the opposition benches

Regional Independent TDs, from left, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Gillian Toole, Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan and Sean Canney.

A row has broken out at the Dáil’s business committee, with TDs fighting against the Regional Independent Group’s proposal to remain on the opposition benches despite members due to serve in government.

At a meeting of the committee on Thursday, a proposal was tabled that would see the Regional Independent Group stay in opposition, despite the group’s full-throated support for the incoming coalition.

Sources at the meeting said the proposal from Tipperary Independent Michael Lowry would see Regional Independent TDs who will not serve as ministers sit on the opposition benches.

However, the group’s five junior ministers — Seán Canney, Noel Grealish, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Marian Harkin and Michael Healy-Rae — would resign from the group and sit on the government benches.

The four other TDs supporting the governing deal — Mr Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae — would not act as government backbenchers.

There are three members of the group — Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín and Paul Lawless, as well as Carol Nolan — who have not backed the deal.

However, the proposal was widely criticised by TDs from within Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit.

One source said this would give TDs due to support the incoming government regular slots during Dáil questioning of government ministers, including at leaders’ questions.

“It’s morally and ethically wrong and it would be getting things off to a really bad start,” the source added.

We’ll be fighting this on all fronts. 

Another source said one Regional Independent who could sit on the opposition benches, Mr Heneghan, would be an assistant government whip.

There were calls within the meeting for existing standing orders to be amended to allow technical groups form part of a government. At present, under the Dáil’s standing orders, technical groups are only permitted on the opposition benches.

TDs who attended the meeting called for new Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy — who was a member of the Regional Group — to intervene and amend standing orders.

However, sources indicated Ms Murphy would not make a decision until a new government is formed next week.