The Dáil had not sat for two weeks following a dispute over speaking rights for a group of Independent TDs (members of parliament). On Tuesday, Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Verona Murphy ruled that the bloc of independent politicians cannot form a technical group for the purposes of speaking rights.

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has said he is not surprised by the decision of the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy on Dáil speaking time, but the Government “must review the decision”.

The Irish Government is assessing a ruling aimed at resolving a crisis in the Dáil (Irish Parliament). The row resulted in chaotic scenes in the Dáíl before a new government was elected last month. It centres on an attempt by a bloc of Independent TDs - whose colleagues have ministerial positions in the new Irish government - to be treated as part of the opposition for the purpose of speaking rights in the Dáíl.

The opposition – who won the bitter dispute after the Speaker of the Dail weighed in – criticised the Government over house-building claims and its efforts to restore power to