Independents hit out at ‘threats’ from Fine Gael amid talks

Senior Fine Gael negotiators have warned Independents of a summer of political strife and a possible second election if a government is not formed.

Independent TDs in negotiations with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael reacted angrily to the comments and said they would not be threatened by “childish play-acting”.

Acting Health Minister Leo Varadkar prompted fury after he tweeted a picture of his election posters on Sunday night with the caption: “My posters cleaned, counted, stored and ready to be deployed.”