Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has confirmed that his party has resigned from the Regional Independents Technical Group, which includes government-supporting TDs, in order to join the Independent Technical Group amid a row over speaking rights.
Aontú's decision to resign from the grouping leaves four Regional Independents, Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae, as well as independents Carol Nolan and Mattie McGrath remaining in the Regional Technical Group.
The Independent Technical Group will include Mr Tóibín, his Aontú colleague Paul Lawless as well as Independent Paul Gogarty and the Independent Ireland TDs.
Speaking outside Leinster House, Mr Tóibín said the opportunity to join a "new home" arose at around midday.
"The decision was made today, it was a live discussion. We were offered for the first time today, around midday, the opportunity to join an alternative group.
"A number of political parties have been critical of Aontú in terms of this and have asked us to walk away from the Regional Technical Group.
"It has developed over the past 24 hours that an opportunity for Aontú to keep speaking rights and still participate in the Dáil in another technical group.
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"That is the Independent Technical Group made up of Independent Ireland and Paul Gogarty and we have been speaking with them over the past 24 hours and thankfully they've allowed us to join their group.
"We're resigning from one and we have a new home in which we will be able to represent our constituents," he said.
Mr Tóibín called for a "significant reform" of the Standing Orders to ensure all TDs have equal speaking time without having to form technical groups.
"There’s no doubt there has been a change in the Dáil situation. In the last Dáil there were a number of TDs who supported government, who had a deal with government before it was created and voted with the government over and over again and we know there were three TDs who did that.
"Most of the opposition parties did not complain. There’s been a change for sure in recent times and I do think it’s necessary we get it together to focus on the standing orders, to make that reform.
"And all that shouting in there is not worth a hill of beans at the end of the day if the political establishment don't get their heads around to actually reforming the process so this does not happen again," Mr Tóibín said.
Independent Ireland leader and spokesperson for the Independent Technical Group Michael Collins said the inclusion of Aontú marked a "significant moment".
In a statement, he said: "The inclusion of Aontú, along with its esteemed members Peadar Tóibín and Paul Lawless, enriches our group and aligns perfectly with our commitment to independence, accountability, and effective governance.
"Their dedication to the communities they serve and their experience in addressing the pressing issues facing our nation will be invaluable as we work together to resolve these issues."
