Independent Alliance to state demands

The Independent Alliance will this week outline its demands in return for supporting any government after the general election — including ending cronyism and supporting rural Ireland.

Opposition leaders will also meet the Government this week regarding legislation and extra powers to help the stalled IBRC inquiry continue its probe into State asset sales.

Putative Independent Alliance leader Shane Ross and colleagues will unveil more candidates tomorrow, as well as the group’s general election ‘charter’.

In it, the alliance will say that its members, in supporting a future government, want good legislation passed and bad legislation defeated, but a “government will not fall”.

It will not support politicians appointing the judiciary, garda top ranks, central bank members, or any cronyism, its charter says.

Seanad reforms, a stop to guillotining legislation, and a veto on appointing an attorney general or minister for justice must all be agreed in exchange for the alliance’s support.

The needs of rural Ireland must also be met, the group will announce tomorrow, including post office and broadband services.

Proposals to sell Anglo Irish Bank must also be postponed until banking culture changes, the group demands.

It also wants excessive salaries and lack of transparency in Government- supported bodies and big lobby groups stopped.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to update Opposition leaders on plans to empower the stalled IBRC probe so it can overcome legal and privacy concerns.