McGrath rules out deal with Fine Gael

An Independent TD has said he will not touch the mooted Fine Gael-led minority government “with a barge pole” after it emerged Enda Kenny won Katherine Zappone’s backing last week by promising to address abortion laws and introduce equality-proofed budgets.

Tipperary-based Mattie McGrath, a member of the loosely linked five rural TDs group, made the remarks as divisions continued to appear among Independents.

In a message on social media last night after days of speculation, the unaligned Ms Zappone said she secured specific commitments from Fine Gael in return for voting in favour of Mr Kenny during last Thursday’s Taoiseach nomination.