Opposition TDs hit out at 'farce' of four Regional Independents sitting on opposition bench

The issue stems from the fact that four members of the technical group were involved in drafting the programme for Government and will be supporting the government

(Left to right) Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Gillian Toole, Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan and Sean Canney at Leinster House after a deal was reached to form the next government. Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan, and Gillian Toole have been allowed to speak from opposition benches. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

TDs outside the government have labelled the decision to grant four TDs who agreed the programme with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to temporarily sit on the opposition bench as a farce that undermines the purpose of said opposition.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy made the decision to temporarily allow the four independent TDs from the Regional Independent Group — Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan, and Gillian Toole — to speak from opposition benches.