Michael Lowry accepts decision on speaking time, but calls for Dáil reform

The Dáil Reform Committee met in Leinster House to resolve the ongoing row that has engulfed the Dáil in recent weeks

Regional Independents Group: Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Gillian Toole, Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan and Sean Canney. File picture: Gareth Chaney/RollingNews.ie

Michael Lowry has accepted the decision that his technical group is not eligible for opposition speaking rights, in what has been hailed "a good day for democracy" by the opposition.

Following a meeting of the Dáil Reform Committee, which Mr Lowry did not attend, the Tipperary TD said the group accepts the decision by the Ceann Comhairle but that reform is urgently needed.

Mr Lowry said accommodations need to be made for independent TDs who are supportive of the government, both now and in future governments. The rural independents are currently stuck "somewhere in the middle" of Government and opposition, he said.

“We made the courageous decision to assist in the formation of government, and I don't believe that any independents who are supportive of government should be penalised by being disenfranchised from speaking time," Mr Lowry said.

Asked if he was now happy to sit on and speak from Government benches, Mr Lowry said: “All of that has to be decided. I don’t think seating arrangements are the issue.

The issue is actually your entitlement as a duly elected representative to be able to participate and express your views on behalf of the constituency who elected you. We always said we didn’t mind where the time came from, whether it was Opposition or Government time — so long as we were afforded that opportunity.

Whether or not the group is supporting the Government on a case-by-case basis or, as Mr Lowry had previously stated, "in good days and in bad", he said that they are not subject to a party whip.

Mr Lowry said the intention of the members "who are supportive of government is to remain steadfast" in that support.

A member of the group, Barry Heneghan, said he would be voting on a case-by-case basis and sought to distance himself from Mr Lowry's previous statements declaring "no one speaks on behalf of me, other than me".

The Dublin TD said he was glad that a ruling had been made, calling the furore over speaking rights a joke, saying: "I am fed up with the endless political dance".

A Government spokesperson on behalf of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste said: “In line with our consistent position that speaking time is a matter for the Oireachtas, the two Government parties accept the recommendation of the Ceann Comhairle. The Government Chief Whip will continue to engage with the Dáil reform committee to ensure speaking rights for all members are upheld."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the Government's "very significant climb down" while Labour leader Ivana Bacik said that it is not possible to be in Government and opposition at the same time.

"It may be okay in Belarus or Russia but it is not okay in a healthy democracy," said Ms Bacik. Her party colleague Alan Kelly accused the regional independents of saying "anything to get their way" but in the end, "took it too far with their arrogance".

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said questions remain over what deals exist with those with Mr Lowry and others in opposition. The Dáil Reform Committee is set to meet again in three weeks.

Speaking rights row

After November’s general election, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael agreed to re-form a government together. They swapped out the Green Party as junior coalition partners for a group of independents.

Of the nine independents involved in government formation talks with the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government — seven from the Regional Independent Group and two Kerry brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae — five are ministers of state.

Four other independents — Michael Lowry, Gillian Toole, Barry Heneghan and Danny Healy-Rae — want to be part of a technical group, which would give them Dáil speaking slots during opposition time. This has been rejected by opposition parties, with the Dáil being suspended multiple times due to the row.