A row has erupted over proposed changes to Dáil speaking rights, with Opposition TDs strongly opposing the Government’s plan to allow the Regional Independent technical group to form a “hybrid” group that would include both Government and Opposition members. The proposal is set to be discussed at Tuesday’s Dáil reform committee, but opposition members have warned that if the plan is pushed through, they will take action that could disrupt Dáil business.
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane, speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, expressed strong opposition to the plan, calling it a “grubby deal” and “stroke politics.” He accused Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris of avoiding telling Independent TD Michael Lowry that it is unacceptable for a Government supporter like him to receive opposition speaking rights. Cullinane suggested that the dispute could be easily resolved by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, asking, “What hold does Michael Lowry have over this Government?”
Minister of State Emer Higgins defended the proposal, stating that the Government aims to find a compromise that is politically acceptable to all parties. She assured that giving speaking rights to Lowry’s group would not interfere with the Opposition’s speaking time. “That has been fixed,” she said, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the Dáil functions smoothly and that all members have the ability to speak. Regarding Lowry’s status, Higgins described him as an Independent, not a Government TD, and clarified that speaking rights for the Regional Independents were not discussed in the Programme for Government negotiations.
However, the proposal has sparked criticism from members of the Opposition. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy dismissed the plan as a move that would undermine the Opposition’s ability to hold the Government accountable. He criticized the idea of naming the Regional Independents as a non-aligned group, accusing Lowry of attempting to “have his cake and eat it.” Murphy also rejected the notion that Lowry was non-aligned, stating, “It’s not true. He’s a Government TD.”
Opposition leaders have united in their opposition to the proposal. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, the Social Democrats’ Cian O’Callaghan, Independent Ireland’s Michael Collins, Labour’s Ivana Bacik, and Solidarity-People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett have collectively written to Taoiseach Martin to express their strong disapproval. The letter states that the proposal to designate the Regional Independents as an “informal technical grouping” is a transparent attempt to give them additional privileges, even though they are aligned with the Government.
The Opposition leaders have warned that the Government’s move undermines the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive, calling on the Government to abandon the plan and respect the distinction between the Government and Opposition. They argue that this proposal would manipulate speaking time to favor a group that is not part of the Opposition and must not be allowed to move forward.
