Ross: I’m willing to broker deal with Fine Gael for alternative coalition

INDEPENDENT TD for Dublin South, Shane Ross, has held out the prospect that Fine Gael could form a Government with the support of “like-minded” independents following the election of the largest ever number of non-party candidates across the country.

The former senator — who topped the poll in Dublin South with an impressive 23.5% of the vote — indicated his own willingness to broker such a deal to obtain the backing of a group of independent TDs which would include Michael Lowry, Mick Wallace and Noel Grealish should Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny wished to consider an alternative to a FG-Labour coalition.

“I think we are going to have to look at the possibility of unleashing a new force in Irish politics,” said Mr Ross.