'Crucially important' Govt engages with all parties

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has said it is "crucially important" that the Government is reminded of a commitment that the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform would engage with all parties to find a resolution acceptable to both Government and the opposition.

Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime programme, Mr Carthy said "it appears that Government have moved away from that position".

He said that the Government's position on the matter "would undermine virtually a century of parliamentary democracy and tradition in the Dáil".

"All at the behest of Michael Lowry and his group of independents who want to be in Government and Opposition at the same time."