Politics

Lowry indicates willingness to back FG or FF-led government

Independent Tipperary TD says no pre-election arrangement in place with any party

Michael Lowry: “I don’t have any problem with Fine Gael. I don’t have any problem with Fianna Fáil.” Photograph: The Irish Times
Michael Lowry: “I don’t have any problem with Fine Gael. I don’t have any problem with Fianna Fáil.” Photograph: The Irish Times
Sarah Bardon
Mon Jan 25 2016 - 19:19

Independent TD Michael Lowry has said he would be disposed towards supporting a Fine Gael or Fianna Fail-led Government.

Mr Lowry said the controversy over his role in the next government was a “ridiculous fuss about nothing”.

The Tipperary TD said it was presumptuous to assume he would be elected and insisted he has made no pre-election arrangement with any party.

"I don't have any problem with Fine Gael. I don't have any problem with Fianna Fáil in the sense that the last time I supported the Fianna Fáil-led government.

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“I built up a good relationship with them and work quite well with them and they delivered on their commitments to me at the time.

“Obviously I have a Fine Gael background originally, but having said that it is 20 years ago. I have no pre-disposition to anybody.” Mr Lowry said he would not see any situation where that support would stretch to a Sinn Féin-led government.

Presumptuous

The Independent Tipperary TD said the discussion was premature and presumptuous because he still had to be elected,

“ It is a matter for the electorate to have their say. I have no advance arrangements with any political party.

“My focus and my attention is getting re-elected myself and I will see how the election numbers fall in terms of the number of seats , evaluate the situation and make a decision as to what I would do if I am re-elected.”

Fine Gael and Labour supported a motion of censure against Mr Lowry after the Moriarty tribunal released its findings.

However, Taoiseach Enda Kenny declined on a number of occasions last weekend to rule out working with the Independent TD.

On Monday several Fine Gael Ministers insisted there had no been discussion with any Independent TD ahead of the general election.

Tánaiste Joan Burton has said a Fine Gael-Labour government propped up by Independents would put Ireland’s recovery at risk.

She said she would be very concerned that any coalition would “beholden to Independents with different personal and local agendas”.

It is understood Fine Gael is favourable to working with Independent TDs Noel Grealish, Maureen O'Sullivan and former Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten.