Laois TD Brian Stanley aligns with high profile outspoken left-wing TDs in new Dáil
Laois independent joins technical grouping that includes Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy
Laois TD Brian Stanley has aligned with left-wing politicians in the Dáil in a grouping that includes some of the most outspoken socialist politicians in Irish politics.
The former Sinn Féin TD has confirmed that after discussions he has, for now, joined a technical group made up which will be made of eight left-leaning TDs.
"All three independent groups spoke to me last week about this. For the past week, I'm in a group with Catherine Connolly, Seamus Healy, Charles Ward and the three People Before Profit TDs. This is a Technical Group only to ensure that we get our fair share of speaking time as TDs," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
The statement all but rules out supporting the Government following the General Election and means that the self-styled independent republican TD will now share Dáil time with some high-profile TDs if he stays on board.
Dublin TD Richard Boyd Barrett is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a TD for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since the 2011 general election which is when Dep Stanley also first won a seat in the Dáil.
Previously a Socialist Workers Party member, the TD is one of the most vocal critics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments. He was active in the water charges campaign and more recently has been visceral in his criticism of the Government's approach to housing policy.
Paul Murphy TD
Ruth Coppinger is another member of PBP-Solidarty. She has campaigned on similar issues to Dep Murphy and Dep Boyd Barrett. Another outspoken politician with a high media profile, she lost her seat in 2020 but was returned to the Dáil for the Dublin West constituency at the 2024 General Election.
Independent Galway West TD Catherine Connolly also has a high profile in politics campaign on social issues and the need for investment in the West of Ireland.
Seamus Healy is back in the Dáil as a TD for South Tipperary after losing his seat in 2020. He was first elected to the Dáil at a by-election on 22 June 2000 and has been a constant advocate for hospital services in Tipperary.
Charles Ward is the final member of the grouping. He was elected for the first time in Donegal as 100% Redress party. The party was set up to represent homeowners impacted by the Irish defective block crisis.
Technical groups are formed so that TDs can get certain rights or benefits that would otherwise remain unavailable to them outside a formally recognised parliamentary group.
It emerged earlier this week that Dep Stanley would not be joining the Regional Independent Group which looks poised to join a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. His former Sinn Féin colleague and ex-Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan has joined this group.
Dep Stanley has said during the campaign that he will work with all sides in the Dáil when elected to advance the issues he believes in and the constituents of Laois.
The Dáil is due to convene on December 18 for the first time since it was dissolved on November 8. A government is unlikely to be in place until January. Fianna Fáil as the most TDs followed by Sinn Féin in second with Fine Gael just behind in third.