Independent Alliance to speak with new TDs

The Independent Alliance will begin canvassing newly elected TDs to join them in a move that would bolster the group’s bargaining power in any talks about supporting a government.

Members of the alliance met in Leinster House yesterday, welcoming its newer TDs, and agreed to open talks with other parties for a “radical” but “responsible” government.

Dublin-Rathdown TD Shane Ross, its putative leader, and Roscommon-Galway’s Michael Fitzmaurice received permission at the alliance meeting to approach other Independents about cooperating in any government talks or being linked to the group.