INDEPENDENT TD STEPHEN Donnelly has moved to dismiss reports that he is setting up a new political party.

The Sunday Independent has quoted Donnelly as signalling his intention to set up a ‘movement based on progressive social democratic principles’.

This would have gone up against Lucinda Creighton’s Independent Alliance and the planned alliance of Independents, spearheaded by Shane Ross.

Taking to Twitter, Donnelly said he has no intention of throwing himself into this fray.

“I can state categorically that the sub-heading is complete nonsense”, he tweeted, referring to the Sindo article.

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Donnelly said earlier this week that he will not be joining the alliance of independent deputies.

“Recently, I have had conversations with TDs involved in the Independent Alliance to explore the possibilities for such a political movement,” Donnelly said in a statement.

At this stage I have concluded that it is not something I will be joining. I believe all challenge to the stale cartel that is Irish politics is welcome, and I wish those involved luck in their endeavours.

In late 2013, Donnelly also moved to dismiss suggestions that he would join Fianna Fáil before the next General Election.

“It ain’t so,” he said.

Shane Ross: I want something completely and utterly new, Stephen Donnelly doesn’t >