Pressure on Enda Kenny for rural incentives

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is coming under pressure to offer fresh rural Ireland investments to shore up Independent support after initial discussions with unaligned TDs.

The Fine Gael leader has been told the issue is key for the Independent Alliance, the Healy-Rae brothers and others after meetings and phone calls over the past 24 hours and before others occur this weekend.

Speaking as Health Minister Leo Varadkar insisted Mr Kenny “doesn’t need to look over his shoulder” and controversial Independent TD Michael Lowry said “I won’t need my arm twisted” to give support if asked, the Taoiseach attempted to make up lost ground on Fianna Fáil in the race to control the Dáil.