O'Rourke welcomes Murphy ruling that Regional Independents cannot form group for opposition speaking time

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has ruled that non-ministerial Regional Independent Group TDs cannot form a technical group for opposition speaking time in the Dáil.

The ruling will be seen as a blow to the Government, who had backed the Michael Lowry-led group, who are supporting the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael led coalition.

Ms Murphy had previously ruled the group could seek opposition speaking time, with opposition parties furious over the ruling.

Sinn Féin had sought legal advice on the matter.

Efforts to appoint Micheál Martin as taoiseach two weeks ago were delayed by a day after opposition parties disrupted proceedings in protest over the speaking time dispute.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Ms Murphy said: "As Ceann Comhairle, I have tonight made a determination in relation to the recognition of the Regional Technical Group. I have come to my conclusion having carefully considered legal advice, submissions and other materials which are in the public domain.

"I have made my decision tonight so that the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform, which meets tomorrow, will be aware of my ruling in advance of that meeting. I have decided that the Group are not eligible for recognition under Standing Order 170."

The ruling was welcomed by Meath East TD Darren O'Rourke who called on the government to now make provision for "these government TDs, including Meath East's Gillian Toole, to take their seats on the government benches, and to be allocated Dáil speaking time and committee positions from the government."

“This is a welcome statement from the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD. The stand taken by the combined opposition has been vindicated: You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time.

“This is also a deeply embarrassing development for the government. They have fully backed Michael Lowry, Gillian Toole, Danny Healy-Rae and Barry Heneghan over the last two weeks. The combined opposition have stood our ground and it’s clear that the Irish people overwhelmingly support us in defending the rights of the opposition in a democracy.

"I note the Ceann Comhairle's comments that, “The public statements made by Deputy Michael Lowry on behalf of the Regional Technical Group and those of Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae are extremely difficult to reconcile with a reasonable interpretation in plain English of the term “in Opposition”.” I think all sensible people would agree!

“While the Ceann Comhairle received emails from Deputies Lowry, Toole, Heneghan and Danny Healy-Rae asserting that they would be retaining their independence and voting on a case-by-case basis, she adjudicated that, 'These emails were sent after controversy had arisen whereas the previous public statements and actions, which were uncontradicted at the time, were made in the immediate aftermath of the conclusion of the Programme for Government negotiations.' I am glad that this is called out. These TDs, including Meath East's Gillian Toole, were trying to pull the wool over people's eyes - claiming credit for the Programme for Government and full support for the government when that suited, then claiming to be the Independent opposition when that suited.

“I welcome the Ceann Comhairle's intervention and I commend her for it. This stroke and this charade must now end.

“An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and An Tánaiste Simon Harris must finally sort this mess out by allocating Dáil speaking time and committee positions to these government-supporting TDs just as they would to their own Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael back-benchers."