Michael Lowry

The solemnity of the occasion contrasts with the unseemly manner in which ithas been assembled

Micheál Martin stands over his criticism of Michael Lowry when the Moriarty tribunal’s report was published in 2011, and said what was revealed by the tribunal was ‘shocking’

Plus: Defence Forces spending on Pilates sounds like a bit of a stretch, Michael McGrath discusses European master plan in Cork and Independent TDs take us back to the past

Oireachtas has said it is a matter for Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, who said legal advice allows for Regional Independent Group members to also ask questions from Opposition benches

Verona Murphy said that there is precedent for any non-party member who is not a minister or minister of State, and has agreed to support government to get speaking time

It is not clear why it took the gardaí 14 years to complete their file arising from the 2011 Moriarty report, but the passage of time raises the question of the fairness of now bringing charges against anyone

The Healy-Rae brothers refer to working in government, even if Danny wants to be able to bark questions at that government as if still sitting on the opposition benches

The bulk of the six-week negotiations happened between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, but the Regional Independent Group played a vital role in forming the new government

In the independent TD’s Thurles political heartland some say they don’t believe the findings against him, others feel he made forgivable mistakes that are now in the past, and some subscribe to both theories at once

Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan

Arrangements underpinning the support of Independents seem to be based on constructive ambiguity

How can our new government claim to be an international referee of political integrity when it has shamelessly thrown away its moral compass?

Backlash after Michael Lowry proposes that he and other Independents supporting next Coalition sit on Opposition benches

Full text of new programme to be made available today in advance of meetings of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties

Across the different parties and groups, more than 20 negotiators have been working hard to hammer out a deal

Dáil vote in 2011 called on Tipperary TD to voluntarily resign but he refused, later telling The Irish Times he would not be run out of politics by ‘the media’

In the News podcast: Colm Keena reported on the Moriarty tribunal from its inception in 1997 to 2011. He explains what it did and why

Negotiators continue to work through policy areas with rolling sessions raising the possibility of imminent agreement

Regional Independent group and two Healy-Rae brothers set to join new government if negotiations are successful

Group of eight Independent TDs will submit a position paper to the two bigger parties setting out its preconditions for entering government

Tánaiste and Taoiseach both reject suggestion that independent TD will be a ‘kingmaker’ in government formation talks

Fourteen years is an extraordinary length of time for a criminal investigation

Decision to forward file will exert pressure on FF and FG as parties negotiate with Independent TD Michael Lowry to form coalition

Independent Ireland party has repeatedly expressed its desire to be involved in negotiations on a new government

Taoiseach says he accepted findings of Moriarty tribunal but that he knows ‘the practicalities of how the Dáil works’

There is a statute of limitations on civic virtue as Lowry is openly embraced as the power broker of the new government

Parties report steady progress but difficult areas yet to be discussed

A year of change heralds a future of more of the same

With no third party to disproportionately set the agenda or take the blame, the prospect of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parting as good friends at the end of the next Government will be more challenging

Michael Lowry expects to meet Chambers and McEntee to discuss ‘parameters’ of engagement in government formation talks

With Labour divided and the Social Democrats sceptical, the focus is on a handful of Independents

Michael Lowry indicates he is open to supporting next government while Independent Ireland say they would want policies addressed before discussing ministerial positions

Electorate did not back Independents at level suggested by polling during the campaign but they could still play major role in 34th Dáil

Election 2024: Local elections results suggest Labour is in reasonably good health here and Alan Kelly is a big beast

We voters need to consider our ambivalence about political standards

Payment to Denis O’Connor comes 27 years after the inquiry was established

Coalition deals with Independents have been commonplace for decades, though Simon Harris has ruled out ‘transactional’ arrangements on his path to the Taoiseach’s office

Naughten has indicated support for Harris on social media, while Lowry is expected to come out in support of him next week

Fine Gael leader, who is set to be voted into role next week, has ruled out ‘transactional’ deals

Taoiseach hits out at Mayo councillors over anti-refugee motion as Opposition deputies criticise Government in Dáil over management of refugee crisis