An attempt is to be made in the autumn to form an alliance of Independent TDs with the aim of holding the balance of power after the next general election. Michael O'Regan, Parliamentary Reporter, reports.
The Independent TD for Mayo, Dr Jerry Cowley, is drafting a document which he will present to some of his fellow Independents when the Dáil resumes at the end of September.
"There is a disillusionment with the existing parties, and I believe an opening is there for a group of Independents who would have a shared policy platform on various issues," he told The Irish Times yesterday. "Obviously, Independents would continue to pursue individual constituency issues, but the public would have an organised group to vote for at the next election."
Dr Cowley said he envisaged this group could hold the balance of power after the next election and be in a position to participate in government on the basis of agreed policies.
He said the arrangement would not affect the operation of the technical group, made up of Sinn Féin, the Green Party and a number of Independents, to acquire more Dáil time at Question Time and during debates on legislation. "This would be a group organised on the basis of policies."
Currently, there is an informal alliance of 10 Independents, who meet on Tuesdays when the Dáil is sitting to plan strategy. The group's whip is the Dublin Central Independent TD, Mr Tony Gregory. If this group was more formally organised, with an identifiable policy platform, it would represent a formidable parliamentary unit.
Dr Cowley's initiative was welcomed yesterday by the Independent TD for Dublin North Central, Mr Finian McGrath. "I think that like-minded Independents have to get their act together. It would be very sensible to agree a broad programme on issues such as health, disabilities and education.
"In the recent elections, two Independent MEPs and 86 Independent councillors were elected. I estimate that 20 per cent of the electorate is open to Independents, and if we come to them as a broad group with an agreed set of principles they will accept it," Mr McGrath said.
"We have a lot more in common with each other than with the political parties."