Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 4 Dec 2024
IN THE WAKE of the election, eight independent TDs are coming together and registering as a technical group in Leinster House.
The ‘Regional Group’ met today and agreed to register as a technical group, which are groupings that can be formed by independents as a way to secure more speaking time in the Dáil – and will likely now also play a role in terms of communications with larger parties about the prospect of independents propping up a government.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are collectively only a few seats short of the numbers needed to form a government and are eyeing up a potential partnership between the two of them and others, whether that be with a smaller party or independents.
The eight TDs that have signed up to the Regional Group are Sean Canney, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Kevin (‘Boxer’) Moran, Verona Murphy and Gillian Toole.
These types of groups have sometimes played an important role in the past in government formation after an election when one party does not win enough seats to hold power alone.
Galway East TD Sean Canney and Longford–Westmeath TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, two of the members of the Regional Group, were previously part of the 2016 Fine Gael-led government as part of a group of six independents known as the Alliance group.
Canney and Moran shared the role of Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief during the lifetime of that government.
In a recent interview with The Journal, Canney said that was a “stable government for four years“, and that it “wasn’t independents” that ultimately led to that government ending, saying also that he takes issue with any suggestion that independents create instability.
Asked about his priorities if he was involved in government formation talks, Canney said there are regional infrastructure issues that need to be tackled, such as railway lines in the west of the country and traffic congestion in Galway, but also insisted independents don’t just focus on “parish pump politics” and that his “biggest issue” would be about accelerating housing construction.
Wexford TD Verona Murphy, another member of the Regional Group formed today, was elected to the Dáil for the first time in 2020 as an independent. She previously ran in a 2019 by-election as a Fine Gael candidate but the party did not select her for their ticket again due to criticism over comments Murphy made about migrants.
In an interview on RTÉ Prime Time yesterday evening, Murphy wouldn’t confirm whether she had spoken to anyone in Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael but said that she has been “on the phone for hours and hours” over the last few days.
She was part of a group in the last Dáil known as the Regional Independents Group, which also included Seán Canney, Noel Grealish and Michael Lowry.
Of the eight TDs in the group, only Gillian Toole (Meath East) and Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North) are starting their first term in the Dáil.
Heneghan is understood to be a protégé of Finian McGrath, a former TD who was himself a member of the Independent Alliance grouping and served as junior minister for disability during the 2016-2020 government.
The Journal politics team has reported that it understands that Heneghan already has a ‘wish list’ ready engaging in any discussions about government formation talks.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin are each convening a meeting of their parliamentary party today to determine their plan of action during government formation talks.
Labour, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin have also agreed to hold meetings with each other this week.
Fianna Fáil secured the largest number of seats of any party in this election (48). Sinn Féin is the second largest on 39 but neither Micheál Martin nor Mary Lou McDonald appear inclined to go into coalition with each other.
That leaves Fine Gael as the next largest parliamentary party with 38 seats. Fine Gael is open to going into coalition with Fianna Fáil but has signalled that it would want ‘parity of esteem’ that would give it equal footing despite having fewer seats.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Much of the rise of the independents is based on frustration, frustration of people feeling they are not being listened too, that the few are making decisions for the many.
It’s been building for years, and now that people who express their frustration and or opinion are now being labelled as wrong or far right.
People in communities have a right to express their opinion or question policy, but those in power shut them down by labelling them as such.
@Mary Kelly: And that’s the problem! Unelected CEO’s of local councils are being handed power by the elected councillors, so people revert to the independent candidates but most people are unaware of the limited powers councils have. The consequences of that will be that the far right or left councillors can’t influence the real decisions like housing , health or climate change. The only advantage of the left or right, is that they enable FF/ FG to stay in power through fear of the other and both couldn’t be bothered to think things through and find solutions. As much as I dislike Wallace and Daly, at least they stood up for their beliefs unlike Carberry, what does she even stand for? or Kelliher. O’Sullivan, Herne and McHugh rejected in favour of puppets. The only upside is that the demise of the planet will rid us of an electorate and politicians, who put self interest above the planet
Immigration is a huge issue . Irish people do not have issues with people coming here to work. Nobody bats an eyelid at Australias strict immigration laws. Why are we been subjected to criminals , gangs of males only, lack of reporting of crimes being committed by illegal immigration, rough riding over communities, discussions around immigration being loaded ?
Our problem liies with those in politics who seem to be falling over themselves and each other to proclaim how great it is to be so diverse etc.. Diversity is not the problem… the way it’s been done is the problem. Thanks FFG
@barry lyons: would you care to share reliable sources for your claims of “criminals” (I guess you mean that only criminals are migrating to Ireland, correct?) and of “crimes committed by illegal immigration”?
@barry lyons: It might be a huge issue but it is way down the list of urgent issues. Climate, Wars, far right taking over Europe, China/ Russia and Capitalist profiteering are slightly more important.
Have you noticed that those countries in Europe where anti immigration policy is strongest are the very countries that raped and plundered and colonised the people’s of those countries who are now ‘ flooding ‘ Europe. So instead of holding European countries accountable, you are blaming the victims. Principles are supposed to be consistent!
Why don’t you Fight / Vote for harsher penalties for traffickers?? Or is it just easier to turn a blind eye. Thank God white people don’t commit crimes!!
@BarryH: You are trying to turn what I said into a racist issue . Why are you assuming I’m white. Your comment is disgusting . The illusion of far right is government speak against anyone who raises a question.
I assume it’s ok to ask questions or would you prefer if I rolled over
No such thing as an independent. Independents came from somewhere. At the end of the day your either right or left. Saying your independent is just a clever way of trying to disguise it. They’ll sell their vote to any party, ignore national interests in return for their local need for the high fives from the Betty’s in the parish halls. All they are good for is petrol pump politics.
@Dan The Man: independents use their leverage at crucial times to get their constituents a better deal. It normally works out for them. Its what gets them reelected year in year out, which is the whole point. It’s not fair but it works for their parish.
I have come to realise that over the recent years, SF has become very close to the west European socialist party, as they stand for the same.
This is why it’s over for them unless something big happen
@Dominic Leleu: Did you read the final results ? Sinn Fein vote up 21%. F.F and FG. Vote down !!!!
If Mary Lou can’t run an election she definitely cant run a country
@Sergio Reddan: Correct if I’m wrong, didn’t SF increased their councillors and double their MEPs? I’ll wait…
@Ian: You are of course correct in your statement. However if I was in Sinn Fein, I wouldn’t be celebrating a “doubling” of their MEPs to a grand total of 2, while losing their sitting MEP in what should be a SF stronghold. They did increase their representation at local level by a tiny amount but it was far from what anyone in the party would have hoped for.
@Sergio Reddan: But,she did and she got an increased vote of support !
The success (or lack of!) Verona Murphy’s ‘Not Independent Alliance’ speaks for itself…. puppets for a woman with her own agenda. She was the captain of the Titanic in the Wexford Election and they were her doomed passengers. And its not over yet, still lots of stories to break about the underhanded tactics that were used!
@Steve Davis: does it really matter who gets elected or who doesn’t, im not big into politics but all politicians are only out for one thing and that is to line their own pockets with a gteat wage and a great pension
Far right fascists will not replace us!
@Alan Kennedy: neither will far left fascists
@John D Doe: Fascists are right wing.
The 0.9% think they took all support away from “mass migration” FFG!!!!!
@9QRixo8H: AHH! the percentage man, you must be an accountant with all you fancy figures
People may just prepare for the housing crisis to worsen there is no denying that now. Building x amount cutting a ribbon with a scissors for a photo isn’t fixing it long term. But clowns think the problem is being fixed and are afraid of opposition when it has clear as day proven time and time again it is worsening at an accelerated rate. Sinn fein lost with they’re half assed policies if the other parties could get the finger out come together control immigration and just try get a handle on the housing it would stop far right slowly gaining ground. They may still gain a lot long term if situation continues with housing which is guaranteed with what’s in power.
@Paddy C: Definitely. My partners youngest brother told me out of his entire sixth year class from couple of years ago there is not a single one of them left in the country. Every single one of them emigrated the minute they finished college. All fed up and refusing to pay the high rents and work for the low starting wages and high tax. Rents could be high in other countries but you’ll get more services and better standard of accommodation. You won’t have to own a car and pay thr extortionate rates to keep and maintain it like here. You won’t be destroyed with tax if you want to work hard and will keep more of your money shockingly.
@Dan The Man: emigration of our young talent. I feel that’s what FG is silently encouraging/hoping to reduce the housing demand while marginally (if at all) raising supply.
And when there’s no choice, you can hardly blame them for emigrating.
have your say