Shortall: There’s a need for new party

Plans for a new centre-left party are believed to be close to completion amid private talks between leading Independent TDs and figures outside Leinster House.

TD Róisín Shortall last night confirmed it was still her opinion there was scope for a new centre-left party ahead of the next general election.

Amid speculation that an election could now be called as early as the autumn, sources in Leinster House suggested the former Labour minister was in private talks with Independents Stephen Donnelly and Catherine Murphy.