Poll points to large say in next government for independents

Independent TDs are likely to decide the composition of the next government, according to one election expert.

Adrian Kavanagh of Maynooth University says no two political parties will have enough TDs to be able to govern otherwise.

He says Fine Gael and Sinn Féin are set to be the two biggest parties, based on the latest Red C poll, but Independents will have a part to play in the next government because no two parties will have enough TDs.

Mr Kavanagh said: "No two-party option would manage to hit the 79-seat mark.

"The closest would be a Fine Gael/Sinn Féin option, which on these figures would account for 76 seats, but you really can't see FG/SF being a viable option."