Confusion after Ross says he is 'sorry' John Halligan is not standing in election

Mr Halligan has yet to give any indication of whether or not he would be putting his name on the February 8 ballot.

Confusion surrounds the immediate electoral future of Skills Minister and independent TD John Halligan after Minister for Transport Shane Ross said he was “very, very sorry” that Halligan was not to run again.

At a press briefing at the gates of Leinster House, Mr Ross responded to questions regarding the future of the Independent Alliance, in the wake of the decision of Kevin Boxer Moran not to stand with the grouping during the election campaign, saying that the alliance was not yet finished.