Rebel TDs welcome new Dáil speaking rights
While former government TDs have welcomed their new speaking rights when the Dáil resumes today, they still want the right to carry out legislative work on Dáil committees.
The Ceann Comhairle has granted speaking rights to 15 TDs who aren't part of the technical group or of the official parties.
It means Fine Gael and Labour TDs who have been kicked out of their parliamentary parties will be able to speak in some Dáil debates.
However, former Labour Chairman Colm Keaveney said the rebels will continue their campaign for the right to rejoin committees.
"The vast majority of legislative work is carried out at a committee level," he said.
"What we have is a situation...where deputies who have a constitutional function to carry out their legislative role, are barred from participating in committees (as) a consequence of the ideological conflict with the whip."
