Lowry – TDs will talk, but demand deadline

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Michael Lowry TD

The Regional Group of Independent TDs has told Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that they are willing to engage in ‘meaningful talks’ on government formation, but ‘only as an equal partner’.

In a statement after talks on Monday, Independent TD Michael Lowry said that his grouping will not come on board ‘as a last minute addition to make up numbers’.

‘imperative’ that talks progress quickly’

In the statement, Deputy Lowry and his seven colleagues also called for a clear deadline from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ‘on when they expect a decision from smaller parties on whether they will enter discussions on the formation of government and when substantive talks will start on an actual Programme for Government’.

The grouping also said that while the caretaker government, with health officials has brought the country to this stage in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is ‘imperative’ that talks progress quickly. This must be done, they say, so that the public can have certainty about the future government which must guide Ireland towards ‘recovery mode’.