Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he believes the Independent TDs who negotiated the Programme for Government have signed up to giving their support for five years and not on a "case-by-case" basis.
Last week three Independents, who were seeking to form a technical group to speak from the opposition benches, wrote to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, saying they were supporting the Government on a case-by-case basis.
Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin said that is not his understanding of the arrangement in place, but "life is life".
"So far it has been very positive in terms of the majorities the Government has enjoyed in the votes," M Martin said.
"It is very early days yet. The budget will be the next big significant event in terms of voting patterns we have built in."
"Part of my agenda in putting together a Programme for Government was building-in a significant majority to take the Government through five years. I am a strong believer in that."
He said he has previously agreed to ensure such stability with the Confidence and Supply arrangement – where his Fianna Fáil party supported a minority Fine Gael led-coalition between 2016 and 2020.
"I took a lot of criticism from within my own party, but I did it for the benefit of the country because of Brexit and I think that was a good thing for the country," he said.
"Interestingly given what some opposition parties are saying now, that wouldn't have been possible now if you were to take the Sinn Féin mantra that you cannot be in opposition and Government at the same time."
Mr Martin said he would have preferred to have had a "better debate" around the question of Dáil speaking rights instead of the "noise around it."
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