Talks on likely technical group

INDEPENDENTS:A NUMBER of newly elected Independent TDs and members of the United Left Alliance have agreed in principle to establish a technical group which will give them speaking and other rights in the Dáil.

Informal meetings were held yesterday and it is expected a majority of the 19 TDs will attend a formal meeting in Leinster House next Tuesday to “discuss the finer points”.

Socialist Party TD and member of the United Left Alliance Joe Higgins stressed that a technical group is “purely technical so it is really a question of anybody and everyone who wants to be part of it, signing up”.

He described it as a facility for “any member who’s not in a recognised party”.

Under the current standing orders or rules of the Dáil there can only be one technical group and it must comprise a majority of the Independents, which would require 10 of the 19 elected.

Dublin North Central Independent Finian McGrath expressed confidence that they would have at least 10 and probably 16 TDs willing to join the technical group.

Mr McGrath yesterday chaired a meeting of seven of the Independents including Maureen O’Sullivan (Dublin Central), Catherine Murphy (Kildare North), Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow), Shane Ross (Dublin Central), Mick Wallace (Wexford) and Luke “Ming” Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim). Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West) was unable to attend but expressed his interest. The group will be contacting all other Independent TDs to establish whether they want to join.

Mr McGrath said the group had long-term plans about Dáil reform and changing standing orders and next week would seek to decide on a group leader, deputy leader and whip.

When they had a list of names they would approach the new ceann comhairle, who is expected to be elected when the Dáil returns next Wednesday.

He said the meeting had agreed there would be no exclusion of any group or individual and each TD would be free to speak their mind on issues.

The group is investigating whether under current standing orders they can have a rotating leader.

Mr Higgins believed the United Left Alliance should be recognised as a group because “we are five deputies from registered political parties”. He added: “There was a lot of talk during the election campaign about Dáil reform. Now let’s see the proof.”