'It’s anti-democratic and it’s totally wrong,' Mattie McGrath reacts to Verona Murphy's shock decision

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has spoken out in response to the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy decision to refuse to recognise four Government-affiliated independent TDs as an opposition grouping for speaking rights.

In a statement released yesterday, Verona Murphy states that: "I have come to my conclusion having carefully considered legal advice, submissions and other materials which are in the public domain.

"I have decided that the Group are not eligible for recognition under Standing Order 170."

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In response to this news, McGrath explained his shock at the recent statement made by Murphy.

“I’m shocked. I spoke to her this morning and she’s saying she has other legal advice. Without being too critical of her, I think she’s afraid of a repeat of what happened last Wednesday week.

"The fact of the matter is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael didn’t get a majority, they coalesced and did a deal with the regional independents and they had a majority so majority rules. What they want is to stop the likes of me and Carol Nolan who are independents from joining an alliance.

"It’s anti-democratic and it’s totally wrong. I looked for a meeting with her this morning and she said she’d meet me but wouldn’t be changing her mind. This has prevailed since 2011, I was in the first technical group and there was nineteen of us and we all got priority questions and speaking time, it’s not new. Each deputy, whatever party they are or if they’re independent, should be entitled to speaking times.” concluded McGrath.

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