Regional Independents meet requirements for Dáil speaking rights, says Fianna Fáil advice

Fianna Fáil sought advice from senior counsel as the row over whether the technical group, led by Michael Lowry, should have speaking rights similar to those afforded to the Opposition.

The party sought advice from senior counsel as the row over whether the technical group, led by Michael Lowry, should have speaking rights similar to those afforded to the Opposition. Picture:: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

The Regional Independent Group of TDs meet the requirements to havespeaking rights in the Dáil, according to advice provided to Fianna Fáil.

The party sought advice from senior counsel as the row over whether the technical group, led by Michael Lowry, should have speaking rights similar to those afforded to the Opposition.

The advice, seen by the Irish Examiner, states that Mr Lowry's grouping can be recognised as a group under Standing Orders while actively supporting the Government as no members are a minister or minister of state.

It goes on to say that the grouping "ought not to be dissuaded" from supporting the Government by the perspective loss of speaking rights.

"That, however, is a matter for policy debate, is a matter for the Dáil itself and is outside the ambit of these advices," it concludes.

This advice, which is in agreement with the views expressed by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy previously, comes as the Dáil Reform Committee holds an informal in-person meeting at Leinster House.

It comes as the Opposition has put forward a proposal which would see Mr Lowry's group form a technical group within the Government and would have the same rights as a party.

The deal would see the regional group treated as equivalent to a party in Government in terms of speaking time and committee positions.

It would mean Mr Lowry's group would have similar rights as the Green Party had in the last government.

A source from the opposition said they did not see the Government and Mr Lowry agreeing to this new proposal and predicted the stand-off would continue into next week.

According to the proposal, there would be two amendments made to the Standing Orders.

It would allow for a group to form a "government-aligned technical group" that does not include members of a party but is committed to voting in support of the Government.

Only one such group would be recognised and there is no minimum number of members required.

It also allows for members of the group to be represented on the Business Committee and on the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform.

The Opposition is to reject a proposal from Chief Whip Mary Butler to create a new group of "unaligned members", with the group being separate to both the government and opposition.

Social Democrats' acting leader Cian O'Callaghan said there has been no sign of real compromise from the Government and it is putting forward the same proposals just in "different language".

Speaking prior to the committee meeting, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the proposal was disappointing.

"It deliberately creates something that is neither in Government nor in Opposition "but a secret third thing that just so happens to take key opposition slots, in particular, leaders questions and priority questions to ministers", Mr Murphy said.

"These are things that are reserved for opposition parties."

Mr Murphy said there is no attempt to deny the Regional Independent Group the right to speak in the Dáil.

"We have said we are willing to amend Standing Orders to say that they can be recognised as a technical group within Government, they can be represented on the Dáil Business Committee and on the Standing Orders committee and should be assured their right to speaking time from within Government time," he said.

Mr Murphy also claimed that the Government is refusing to clarify what the consequences of having 'unaligned members' in terms of resourcing and committee positions. While that is not being proposed at this time, the Opposition wants a guarantee that it will not be proposed at a later time.

The ongoing row led to lengthy delays in electing Micheál Martin as Taoiseach earlier this month and if there is no breakthrough before the Dáil resumes on Wednesday, Mr Murphy said the Opposition will have no choice but to "protest robustly".