The Dáil is debating a confidence motion in Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy over her role in approving a vote which allowed the Government to make changes to speaking time in the Dáil. 

The Dublin Bay North TD said there were clear political reasons behind his decision to distance himself from Michael Lowry in the Dáil.

Labour’s Ged Nash said that the Ceann Comhairle needed to show that she is ‘not in any way partisan’.

Micheál Martin said it was a ‘bit rich’ for the opposition to blame the Ceann Comhairle after creating widespread disruption.

Here, we have look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

The Ceann Comhairle faces a confidence motion on Tuesday over her handling of a vote which cut opposition speaking rights

‘The behaviour in the Dáil (in the) last week, if you saw it from your children, you would have been disappointed,’ Tánaiste Simon Harris said.

Here's everything you need to know about the speaking rights row

Independent TD Michael Lowry also said it was not made with malicious intent.

Michael Lowry, who is at the centre of a dispute that divided the Dáil, stuck two fingers up to members of the opposition as proceedings were adjourned amid chaotic scenes.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Micheál Martin said that "despite listening respectfully to the questions posed by opposition deputies, my attempts to answer were constantly and systematically interrupted and shouted down".

The Tipperary North TD has been contacted for comment after he was caught apparently giving a V-sign in a video recorded by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy.

Video footage shows Michael Lowry making a gesture towards the camera as the chants of ‘shame’ reverberate around the Dáil.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was told the Dáil speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?".

The Dáil speaking rights row looks set to escalate further after tense exchanges on Thursday afternoon

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon accused the Government of ramming ‘undemocratic’ proposals through the Dail.

Opposition leaders have renewed their calls to meet with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to resolve the row

The Dáil Reform Committee will meet later for a showdown between Opposition and Government on how Michael Lowry and his Independents will get speaking time

Independent TD, Michael Lowry, who was communications minister at the time, is a notice party in the case

The row was resolved after Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy weighed in – in favour of the opposition – on Monday night

Verona Murphy decided that government-affiliated TDs cannot be considered as members of the opposition.

The Dáil Reform Committee is meeting ahead of the return of the parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Mac Lochlainn also told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that this “should be the end of the matter.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said it is not a black-and-white issue and said he would not be ‘browbeaten’ into upending Dáil principles

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the proposed hybrid technical grouping was ‘Alice in Wonderland stuff’.

Opposition TDs suggested that further protests were possible when the Dáil reconvenes on Wendesday.

A virtual meeting of the Dáil reform committee on Thursday night ended with no resolution.

Lowry is seeking speaking time among opposition groups for the Regional Independent Group, despite supporting the Government.

Mr Doherty said Mr Lowry should ‘come clean’ about his involvement in a bid to purchase property related to Doncaster Rovers.

The Fianna Fáil leader is Taoiseach again. Follow here for all the latest developments and updates throughout the day.

The Regional Independent Group has the "air of a political party about them" and are likely to be stable partners for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, according to a political commentator

But the Tánaiste defended his decision to go into government with Mr Lowry’s Regional Independents group

How much do you know about the members of the Regional Independent Group?

Michael Lowry has maintained that there was no wrongdoing in the awarding of the phone licence which was the subject of a Tribunal.

The Tipperary North Independent TD is a key player in talks on a new government formation, but the controversy surrounding findings of the Moriarty Report in 2011 have returned

Here, we talk a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

It comes as talks to form a new government continued to make progress.

Michael Lowry is among Independents willing to negotiate on government formation

Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail has been engaged in government formation talks after emerging as the largest party following the Irish general election.

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

Simon Harris said he has a duty to speak to independents and parties who want to form a ‘stable government’

In 2018 the Independent TD successfully appealed a decision by the tribunal to only award him one third of the costs of his legal representation.