Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin leader may woo unaligned TDs into coalition

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Independent election candidates, saying he would take them “seriously” and is “prepared” to join forces as part of an alternative coalition after the general election.

Mr Martin made the first specific party push for Independent support, saying he wants to “build a critical mass of people who are focused on real Dáil reform“, as he again ruled out any coalition with Fine Gael or Sinn Féin, but left the door open for a potential deal with Labour.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Martin said he was prepared to sign up with Independents in order to “change how we do politics” and create a different Dáil where all parties, and not just established groups, are taken seriously.