SENATOR KATHERINE ZAPPONE has not ruled out the possibility of joining the mooted new political party, despite declaring her intention to run as an independent in the next general election.

Zappone has told TheJournal.ie that despite announcing her candidacy in Dublin South-West earlier this week she will continue to have conversations with the three prominent independent TDs said to be behind the new party.

Independent deputies Stephen Donnelly, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall have held discussions about forming a party in recent weeks but have remained tight-lipped about their intentions.

Describing all three as “very fine parliamentarians” Zappone said today that she would continue to hold discussions with the trio, and added:

I don’t know where that will lead yet.

We also pushed Zappone on the rumoured name for the new party, the ‘Social Democrats’:

Zappone was appointed to the Seanad in 2011 following a recommendation of then-tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

She revealed she spoke to the Labour leadership about her decision to run in Dublin South-West, where the party has two siting TDs.

Zappone also said that although Labour did not ask her to run, she might have considered an offer:

There’ll be more from our interview with Katherine Zappone on TheJournal.ie in the coming days. 

Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for that new political party…

Read: Move over Renua, there could soon be ANOTHER new party in town