Independent TDs - who have agreed to support the incoming government, but do not hold a ministerial position - will be allowed to ask questions from the opposition benches.

In a statement this morning, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has said a precedent for this was set during the confidence and supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in 2016, during which Fianna Fáil "was still considered the main opposition party".

She has invited any members of the Dáil Business Committee who do not agree to make a submission outlining any alternatives by close of business next Wednesday.

Irish Daily Mail Political Editor Craig Hughes has said it is already a rocky start for some:

"It does seem very, very difficult to reconcile the fact that people who were central to negotiating the programme for Government - namely Michael Lowry and Danny Healy Rae - could somehow seperately appear on the opposition benches," he said.

"There's a lot left to rumble in this controversy yet."

The issue attracted criticism after it emerged some Regional Independents wanted to form a technical group in the Dáil in order to get more speaking time.

Main image: Pic shows Verona Murphy TD. 18-12-24 Pic Maxwell’s