Both of the first time TDs elected in County Tipperary say they are certain a Programme for Government will be agreed when the Dáil returns on January 22nd.
Fine Gael’s Micheal Murphy and Fianna Fail’s Ryan O’Meara will be collaborating with fellow Tipperary TD Michael Lowry, the Convenor, for the Regional Independent Group of TDs.
The Group has 9 members and is also linked with AONTU’s 2 TDs for Dáil speaking time purposes.
Verona Murphy, one of the Regional Independents, is now the Ceann Chomhairle – part of the deal requested by Michael Lowry’s Group in return for supporting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in Government.
Deputy Ryan O’Meara says he looks forward to working with fellow North Tipperary TD Michael Lowry for the good of Tipperary.
Deputy Michael Lowry previously served as a Government Minister between 1994 and 1996 when he was a member of Fine Gael – he has been a TD since 1987.
The Moriarty Tribunal, which published it’s report in 2011, was highly critical of Michael Lowry’s behaviour in respect of the awarding of the State Mobile Phone Licence.
The McCracken Tribunal found irregularities as regards payments made by Dunnes Stores for work completed on Deputy Lowry’s home.
He resigned from Fine Gael in November 1996 as the then Taoiseach John Bruton announced that Michael Lowry would not be a party candidate at the next election.
