Technical Group

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The Technical Group in Irish politics is a group of deputies who associate to increase their speaking rights in Dáil Éireann. In particular, it refers to a loose federation of 22 opposition deputies, created after the 2002 general election. The current Technical Group consists of the Green Party, Sinn Féin, Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party and ten Independent TDs.

1 Origin and policy
2 Current membership
3 See also

[edit] Origin and policy

Many technical groups have sat in the Dáil; recent examples include a group of nine members in 1992. The current Technical Group was formed early in the 29th Dáil by 22 opposition deputies. Since only groups with seven or more members have full speaking rights under Dáil standing orders, parties such as the Greens (with six TDs) and Sinn Féin (with five TDs) were unable to speak as often as the major parties. They convened a Technical Group with other opposition TDs in order to enjoy more speaking time. Due to its size, this group received the second-highest precedence among opposition groups in the Dáil, between Fine Gael (31 TDs) and the Labour Party (21 TDs). A change to standing orders in November 2002 led to Labour receiving its old precedence again, despite having less members than the Technical Group.

The Technical Group is generally seen as a broadly left-wing alliance, due to the large Green Party/Sinn Féin/Socialist presence. The Independent members range from traditional socialists, such as Finian McGrath, to more mainstream politicians like Marian Harkin, who sits with the liberal ALDE in the European Parliament.

[edit] Current membership

The current leader of the Technical Group is Green Party leader Trevor Sargent. The deputy leader is Sinn Féin leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. The chief whip is Independent Tony Gregory.