A group of former Fine Gael TDs claims the government can't try to silence them while also abolishing the Seanad.

The group has begun a campaign to change the rules of the Dáil so that former members of political parties can still have speaking rights.

They've proposed an official change to the rules so that they can form a second technical group and be able to question the Taoiseach.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath – formerly of Fianna Fáil – said it was not fair that the Dail's rules stop former members of political parties from having speaking rights.

"If the Ayatollah Khomeini came over here … he's able to join a technical group," he said.

"Certainly if people want to be in a grouping and there's enough of them there, they should be entitled to speak."

Senator Paul Bradford said Fine Gael has nothing to fear by allowing its former members to speak in Leinster House.

"The Fine Gael party, which founded the state and defended and supported and promoted democracy, should have no difficulty with any group of people who wish to use the democratic chambers of the Oireachtas in a constructive fashion," he said.