Ceann Comhairle rules that Eoin Hayes is a Social Democrats TD despite suspension

Verona Murphy's ruling means the Social Democrats get precedence over Labour at Leaders’ Questions, committee membership selection, and speaking order

Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes with Social Democrats parliamentary party colleagues, deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan, Sinead Gibney,  and Gary Gannon. Picture: Stephen Collins

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has ruled that Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes will be counted as part of the Social Democrats for the divvying up of top committee jobs, despite remaining suspended from the party.

The party argued that Mr Hayes was still a member of the Social Democrats parliamentary party, as part of efforts to secure a second €10,000 per year committee chair job.