Fine Gael make 'no secret' that they want a third party to join government during Independent TD meetings

Independent TD Marian Harkin says that smaller parties like the Greens, Social Democrats and Labour should make up their minds about government formation.

Describing her priorities during government formation talks the Sligo–Leitrim independent TD Marian Harkin said: "What we need is balanced regional development, that has to be stitched into policy." File picture.

Fine Gael has made "no secret" that they want a third party to join government, during meetings with Independent TDs.

Negotiating teams from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil met with independent Sligo–Leitrim TD Marian Harkin and Roscommon–Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice on Monday for around 90 minutes.