One of the newly-elected independent TDs has said he has received an initial approach to establish if he would support a Fianna Fáil-led Government. Dr Jerry Cowley said he had made clear what demands he would make in exchange for his backing. The Mayo TD said that no agreement had been reached.
Both the newly elected TDs, Marian Harkin of Sligo Leitrim, and Paddy McHugh, of Galway East, say that they have not been approached by Fianna Fáíl.
Mr McHugh said that the Taoiseach should get on with forming a Government as quickly as possible and stop "shadow boxing" about who might partner Fianna Fáil in Government. He said it was not in the best interests of the country to drag out this process any longer than was necessary.
He called for the independent TDs, particularly those from the western seaboard, to come together in an overall alliance to increase their role in the Dáil in order to deliver much-needed infrastructure to the region.
The former Fianna Fáil councillor had failed to get a nomination to stand for the party in the election.
