Parties courting Independents and small parties

Political parties have begun to tentatively court Independent TDs and smaller parties to see if they could do business with them.

The Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parliamentary parties are to meet separately today and it is expected they will discuss coalition options which are expected to lead to more detailed discussions with Independents and others.

The Independent Alliance which had six of its candidates elected has already reached out to a number of other Independents.