Dáil debates

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil

 

2:05 am

Photo of Verona MurphyVerona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As we reconvene this morning to discharge the functions that we have been constitutionally mandated by our constituents to perform, we have a duty to the people who have elected us to conduct ourselves in a way that is befitting of the office we hold. Our primary constitutional function is to nominate a Taoiseach for appointment by Uachtaráin na hÉireann.

The issue of the recognition of the Regional Independent Group as a technical group lies at the core of yesterday's dispute. On Friday, 17 January, I outlined in correspondence to each member of the Business Committee legal advice that my office had received from the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers. In that correspondence, I further sought submissions from those who did not agree with the advice I had outlined. I was explicit in that correspondence that I had made no decision on the issue of the recognition of the Regional Independent Group as a technical group. I invited submissions by close of business yesterday. Those of you who did not agree with the advice had the opportunity to make submissions and provide alternate advice for me to consider. I embarked on this process in the interests of fairness and recognising that Standing Orders could be open to interpretation. As of yesterday, I received one submission on the issue of the Regional Independent Group. I thank the authors of that submission. Overnight, I considered the submission and the advice that I received. I reviewed and discussed the submission with my staff.

It seems that there is significant ambiguity in the wording of Standing Order 170(1) and (4). I will seek the advice of senior counsel on this matter before coming to an impartial final decision. Therefore, in accordance with my solemn declaration that I will apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner and the powers conferred on me by Standing Order 75(3), I have decided that to avoid prejudging my final decision on that dispute, the following technical groups will be recognised for the purposes of any debate during today's proceedings pending a final ruling on the matter: Independent and Parties Technical Group; and Independent Technical Group. I trust my decision today provides a roadmap for all parties and all Members to work towards an outcome that is acceptable to all. Thank you.

I now call on the Government Chief Whip to make a brief statement.

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