O’Callaghan calls on government to cut ties with Lowry

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called on the new government to cut ties with independent TD Michael Lowry.

The Tipperary TD is part of the cohort of independents who have agreed to back the government over the course of the 34th Dáil, but Lowry’s involvement has not been without controversy.

Micheál Martin’s return as Taoiseach was delayed by 24 hours after the Dáil fell into chaos last Wednesday as independent TDs attempted to speak on opposition time in the Dáil instead of agreeing to speak on government time.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy had to suspend the Dáil several times on Wednesday, and Dáil business only proceeded as usual on Thursday after Murphy worked out an arrangement to put the speaking time row aside so the Dáil could elect a new Taoiseach and Cabinet.

O’Callaghan said “the government pandering to Michael Lowry has already been hugely damaging,” and that the scenes in the Dáil last week “falls squarely on the shoulders of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, who were happy to facilitate this stroke.”

“Instead of acknowledging that, and working with the Opposition to find a way forward, it appears that another stroke is underway.”

The acting leader of the Social Democrats reported back from a meeting of the Dáil reform committee which took place on Monday afternoon, and he said “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.”

O’Callaghan said that the dispute over speaking rights could be resolved if the government simply cut ties with Michael Lowry, and noted that the government would still have a “comfortable” majority in the Dáil without Lowry’s involvement.

“This means ending all preferential treatment, briefings, informal deals and arrangements that have been made with Mr Lowry in return for his support,” he stated.

Lowry, O’Callaghan’s Dublin Bay North stablemate Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole, Kevin “Boxer” Moran and Marian Harkin are among the eight independents who have signed on to support Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael over the next Dáil term.

“Independent TDs, who have agreed a programme for government, must also be accommodated in genuine government time when speaking in the Dáil,” O’Callaghan said, raising the spectre of the issue dominating the Dáil once it returns next week.

“It’s not too late to do the right thing – cut ties with Mr Lowry and end any further cynical attacks on opposition speaking time.”