Independents demand written agreement from main parties before vote

Independents have demanded a written agreement providing a commitment to supporting minority government from both of the main parties before voting for a taoiseach.

Increasingly frustrated Independent TDs are also ruling out voting for a taoiseach during Thursday’s ballot. Placing trust in either Enda Kenny or Micheál Martin for taoiseach is now a major issue for many of the 15 Independents who have been involved in government formation talks.

Both the Independent Alliance and the group of five rural Independent TDs have indicated they would need written commitment of support for a minority government for a set period in order to go into government.