Opposition TDs say Lowry 'calling shots in Government'
Opposition TDs have rounded on comments made by Independent TD Michael Lowry as evidence that he is "calling the shots in Government".
The Tipperary TD told the Sunday Times newspaper that senior Cabinet ministers gave his Regional Independent Group weekly briefings.
He said he had a rota of ministers attending, including Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, who had already briefed them, while Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Minister of State Colm Brophy were expected to attend to talk about immigration.
Labour TD Marie Sherlock said his remarks reflected the reality of "who is calling the shots in Government".
She told RTÉ's The Week in Politics that it was not clear that backbenchers were getting the same access.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane said it was clear that Mr Lowry was hugely influential.
"He was the kingmaker in putting this Government together and the Government have been falling over each other to be very clear to say, no deals done and no side deals," she said.
However, she added it was clear that Mr Lowry and his group were getting exclusive one-on-one meetings with ministers.
Also speaking on The Week in Politics, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy said Mr Lowry was playing "to his audience back home that he is hugely influential and that he has an opportunity to meet Cabinet ministers".
He downplayed the significance of Mr Lowry's access to ministers, pointing out that ministers would also attend parliamentary party meetings to answer questions.
A Government source also said that any minister meeting the Regional Independent Group would not share any information that would not be available to other Government backbenchers.
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