Opposition behaved in juvenile and despicable manner, Michael Lowry says

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Opposition have behaved in a “juvenile and despicable” manner, according to an Independent TD at the centre of a dispute on speaking rights.

Michael Lowry acted as a key negotiator for a bloc of Independent TDs that agreed to support the formation of a Government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

He also supported the successful nomination of Verona Murphy, a former colleague in the Regional Independent Group, to take up office as Ceann Comhairle.

That nomination was seen as part of the agreement between the Government parties and the independents.

However, a dispute over speaking rights proposals put forward by the Government and Ms Murphy’s involvement in implementing a vote to pass the changes has put Mr Lowry in the spotlight.

Mr Lowry, a former Fine Gael minister, was previously found by a tribunal to have behaved in a manner that was “profoundly corrupt”.

Last week, he was criticised after being filmed sticking two fingers up to a member of the opposition while still in the chamber amid a chaotic row on the speaking rights dispute.

He later described his move as an “errant gesture under provocation”.

In a statement on Tuesday after a confidence motion in Ms Murphy passed, Mr Lowry said: “Today’s proceedings in the Dáil marked a significant victory for democracy.

“The past three months have been crippled with venom and spite from the opposition parties. Their actions have been both juvenile and despicable.

‘“It has been a very difficult time for the Regional Independent Group, simply because we had the courage to step up to form a strong and stable Government.

“In the blinkered eyes of the Opposition, that was our sin.

“Today, the Opposition took a trouncing. Their actions were condemned for what they are – orchestrated obstruction.

“Ultimately, all they succeeded in doing is strengthening the position of the Ceann Comhairle. With 96 votes in her favour, Verona Murphy’s credibility is not only secured, it has been endorsed.

‘The Regional Group has secured its justified speaking rights – we are fully recognised.

“Government must now be permitted to get on with their work in the face of the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead for Ireland and Europe. Democracy has prevailed.”