One foot in and one foot out.
Even the celebrities performing the Quick Step on Dancing with the Stars would find the pirouette of the Regional Independents hard to follow.
Their proposal to be part of the opposition for the purpose of Dáil speaking time and other rights, just a day after signing up to the Programme for Government, is now the centre of a brewing row.
It's a dispute on which the new Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, will have to adjudicate in what is likely to be her first big call as Dáil chair.
So, what exactly is it all about?
By way of background, TDs are entitled to come together, in groups of five or more, to form what is known as a "technical group".
They usually are independents or members of smaller parties who do so to be granted speaking time, positions on committees, the right to table questions or motions in a way that larger parties would.
Crucially, technical groups have a spot in Leader’s Questions where they can put matters to the Taoiseach or Tánaiste and hold the Government to account.
But under Dáil rules, members of a technical group must be part of the opposition. And that is where the problem begins.
Tipperary North Independent, Michael Lowry, who was central to putting the current coalition in place along with other members of the Regional Independent Group who have signed up to the Programme for Government, does not believe that this should stop them being part of a technical group.
What is their proposal?
At a meeting of the Dáil’s Business Committee yesterday, it was proposed that a regional technical group will be formed. This would mean that the four members of the Regional Independent Group who are being appointed to junior or super junior minister positions, will resign from that group.
Mr Lowry, along with Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole who were also part of those talks, would stay in the group. Independent Carol Nolan would join as would Danny Healy Rae - who negotiated with his brother Michael to support the Fianna Fáil/ Fine Gael coalition.
They would also be joined by two Aontú TDs, Peadar Tóbín and Paul Lawless - who were not part of any government formation talks - to form the seven-member technical group.
The argument in support of this is that they are not office holders, therefore technically are not members of the government (even though they might vote with it).
The comparison was made to the previous Dáil where a number of Independent TDs were members of technical groups yet voted with the Government most of the time.
How is this going down?
Not very well. Discussion around the issue became heated during the Business Committee’s meeting. TDs from opposition parties are saying they will strongly resist it.
Sinn Féin's Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said "you couldn't make this up".
"Michael Lowry stood on the plinth outside Leinster House with the other independents beside him and said we will support this government in good days and in bad.
"Some of these independents who are government members want to be part of a group that is in opposition to government in order to get speaking time, resources, positions on committees, even a committee chairperson."
He said this is "outrageous and unacceptable". "You cannot have your cake and eat it. You are either in government or opposition. We are going to fight this and oppose this all the way."
Where does it go from here?
Those present at the meeting said that TDs "put it up to" the new Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, to make a decision on whether this group is permitted under Dáil rules or not.
She is, of course, a former member of this group and her election as Ceann Comhairle was seen as a concession to the Regional Group as part of their willingness to enter government talks.
"This will be a key test for the Ceann Comhairle," said one source present at the meeting. "She will have to have the confidence of all members of the House and this will be an early test."
Some sources are suggesting the Dáil rules - or standing orders - could be changed to remove the stipulation that TDs must be in the opposition to form such a technical group.
Either way, it's heading for something of a showdown when the Dáil resumes next week.
