The right of Independent Tipperary TDs to have their voice heard in the Dáil has been defended by a Government Minister.
A major row broke out over the speaking rights of the likes of Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath following their decision to support the coalition government.
The Regional Independents – led by Deputy Lowry – had sought to speak from the opposition benches which drew strong opposition from the likes of Sinn Féin and Labour.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy Rae told Tipp Today earlier that they were elected by the people to have their voices heard.
“You’re sent up there to talk and people like Mattie McGrath and Michael Lowry aren’t they perfectly entitled to stand up in the Dáil and raise an issue whether they’re supporting the government or not. Because remember if you’re supporting a government you can also be critical of a government.
“I’ve seen Deputy Michael Lowry – and he supported governments in the past and did so diligently – but at the same time I have heard him standing up in the Dáil, as with Mattie McGrath, talking about hospitals, talking infrastructure and fighting with government.”
