Taoiseach to be finally elected as Regional Independents back down

Regional independent TDs at the centre of a row over speaking time in the Dáil have agreed not to seek opposition time during proceedings on Thursday in a bid to allow the nomination of a new Taoiseach to proceed. In a statement, the Regional Group said they would do so on a ‘temporary’ basis. The group said: ‘Following intensive discussions last night and today with the Ceann Comhairle , Taoiseach and Tanaiste, the Regional Group has decided that in the interest of not having a repetition of yesterday’s appalling and outrageous scenes in the Dáil, the Group will cooperate with today’s Order of Business.

‘Yesterday’s scenes were a shameful display of obstruction which denied the people a democratic right to have a government. ‘The Regional Group have agreed to this temporary measure to facilitate the election of taoiseach and members of the government. ‘The future positioning of the group will be referred to the Dáil Reform Committee by way of Dáil motion tonight.



‘The committee’s composition will reflect the proportional representation in this Dail. The aim is to have a decision before the Dail reconvenes on the 5th of February.’ The Dail is due to resume session at approximately 11.

40am. Earlier today, the Ceann Comhairle said that she would not recognise speaking time for a group of independents at the centre of a dispute that prevented the nomination of a new Taoiseach. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy said that, during today’s proceedings, she would recognise two other technical groups but not the collection of TDs that contain independents who supported the formation of the incoming government.

She is expected to seek further advice for future sittings. It comes after the Dáil was suspended due to a row about whether those independents could be given opposition speaking time. Labour whip Duncan Smith said: ‘It’s positive to see the Ceann Comhairle recognising only two technical groups, both in opposition, for the purposes of today’s meeting.

This is the solution that I and others proposed both in our submission and at numerous meetings yesterday.’ Earlier this morning, the election of a taoiseach ‘must happen today’, Simon Harris and Micheal Martin have said. Mr Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, was poised to become Taoiseach on Wednesday but proceedings were called off due to a row on opposition speaking rights.

He and Mr Harris are due to meet opposition leaders on Thursday to resolve the dispute. In a joint statement, the leaders said: ‘The formation of groups in Dail Eireann is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle. ‘Issues regarding Dail reform and groupings can and should be discussed by a Dail reform committee.

‘This can meet as early as today but proportionality must also prevail. ‘The most important duty the Dáil has is to elect a taoiseach and government and both party leaders agree this must happen today.’ Yesterday there were chaotic scenes in the Dáil as the new chamber was convened, then suspended twice, thus scuppering Mr Martin’s ratification as taoiseach.

The Opposition caused uproar over speaking rights – and, last night, it’s understood they were on the cusp of striking a deal that means TDs supporting the Government can’t be in Opposition technical groups..