Independents to unite for Dáil group

AT least nine Independent TDs have agreed in principle to forming a Dáil technical group giving them similar speaking and other rights to political parties.

After informal discussions between Independents yesterday, two more TDs agreed to join the group including former Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South) and Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West).

Organisers of the group said Michael Lowry — a former Fine Gael minister who supported the outgoing Fianna Fáil Government as an Independent — is giving it “serious consideration”.