ANALYSIS: THE SUCCESS of Pearse Doherty in the Donegal South West byelection provides an opportunity for Sinn Féin to work towards becoming part of a “technical group” of seven TDs in the Dáil.
Questioned on the issue at the byelection count in Stranorlar yesterday, party leader Gerry Adams said: “Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and our team will look at all of that over the next few days.”
Other party sources were equally circumspect. The Sinn Féin TDs, now augmented by Doherty as the “fifth man”, would meet in the coming week, along with Mr Adams, to discuss the implications of the byelection result, including the technical group issue. A technical group requires a minimum of seven deputies. Sinn Féin now has five and Independents Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan have already expressed a willingness to discuss the issue.
Similar to a fully fledged political party, a technical group is entitled to certain privileges, including participation in Leaders’ Questions, generally the most high-profile part of the Dáil day.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1127/1224284260932.htmlI sure miss the days when US politicians were "circumspect".