Three of the four independent TDs supporting the Government said last night they were happy with the outcome of a meeting with the Chief Whip, Minister of State Mr Seamus Brennan, on the controversial Budget tax measures.
All four have said they could not support the Government's Budget proposal, which favoured double-income families.
However, after a meeting with Mr Brennan yesterday afternoon, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Thomas Gildea said they were happy that they had got their message across and that some balancing measures will be introduced.
Ms Mildred Fox did not attend as she is in America. Mr Healy-Rae represented her.
Last night, Mr Healy-Rae told The Irish Times that he was "very satisfied" after the meeting. "We made our case clearly and firmly. We were told that everything would be taken on board and that the Government would come back to us."
Mr Harry Blaney said the TDs were assured that their views would be taken back to the Government and the Fianna Fail parliamentary party.
"We got no pledges as such but I expect, rightly or wrongly, some announcement. I would not be surprised if it is this week."
Mr Blaney said the three independents had an informal talk with the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, ail after their meeting with Mr Brennan. "There is no doubt that the Minister for Finance knows our position.
"I get the impression that the Government knows itself that it has to do something about this."
Mr Thomas Gildea described the meeting as "positive". "We pointed out certain aspects of the Budget that were of concern and it is up to the Government now to redress those matters."
RTE and TV3 yesterday interviewed more than 20 Fianna Fail TDs about their concerns over the Budget. Fianna Fail sources said last night that the party was determined that backbenchers would get the credit for a climbdown rather than the independents.
"It was important that we had as many backbenchers as possible going public on this today. We don't want the independents getting the credit for any change that will be announced by the Minister for Finance," a party source said.