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.