![Michael Lowry TD: Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan says 'Government pandering to [him]... has already been hugely damaging. There was chaos in the Dáil last week...' Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Photos](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/T3THI5OCRBDLHLFYS76B6NLLD4.jpg?auth=41cc2bf7bf4a04f8b2bda762de879f3b4e28ab3fdb8a464ea3923fd2feb09d23&smart=true&width=1024&height=768)
Opposition members are calling on the Government to “cut ties” with Michael Lowry as the row over Dáil speaking rights remains unresolved.
A proposal to give Mr Lowry’s Regional Independent Group 10 minutes of speaking on Opposition time caused uproar in the Dáil last week, and temporarily derailed Micheál Martin’s election as taoiseach.
Opposition parties have united over the issue, saying that Mr Lowry played a central role in the formation of the Government and has committed to supporting it, meaning he cannot be considered a member of the Opposition and set up a technical group for the purpose of securing Opposition speaking time.
[ Further Dáil clash over Lowry group speaking time loomsOpens in new window ]
Following meetings between party leaders, it was agreed that a committee would consider the wording of a new amendment to Dáil rules.
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That amendment would effectively mean that a person who helped negotiate a programme for government, and who had committed to supporting a government, could not claim Opposition privileges. The ad hoc committee met for a second time on Monday, with no resolution yet in sight.
Mr Lowry’s group are continuing to argue that they are entitled to Opposition recognition.
Speaking after the meeting, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan called on the Government to “cut ties” with Mr Lowry.
“Government pandering to Michael Lowry has already been hugely damaging. There was chaos in the Dáil last week when Lowry Independents attempted to hijack Opposition speaking time. The blame for that fiasco falls squarely on the shoulders of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, who were happy to facilitate this stroke.
“At a meeting of the Dáil reform committee this afternoon, it became clear that Government parties are attempting to mount a rearguard action to reduce Opposition speaking time and designate it for the Government. This will not be entertained.
“To help resolve the dispute over speaking rights, and the instability that pandering to Mr Lowry is causing, the Government must cut all ties with him. This means ending all preferential treatment, briefings, informal deals and arrangements that have been made with Mr Lowry in return for his support.
“Independent TDs, who have agreed a programme for government, must also be accommodated in genuine Government time when speaking in the Dáil.”
In a submission made to the committee on Monday, Mr Lowry’s group said it was arguing that a TD could in fact be involved in a programme for government and speak in Opposition.
“It should not be up to the Ceann Comhairle or any third party to decide which non-party members align with which technical groups to have their ‘voice heard’. In recent times these technical groups have aligned on the basis of like-minded interests.
[ Q&A: How did a row about speaking rights derail the election of a taoiseach?Opens in new window ]
“In the last Dáil, the Regional Group had members who consistently voted with the government and some who consistently voted against the government, with others voting both ways on a case-by-case basis. There was never a question raised about their participation in Leaders Questions.”
It is understood the Government will bring forward the final wording of the amendment to Dáil rules on Thursday, when it will become apparent whether a resolution can be found or not.
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