TDs Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice to form alliance

Independents hope to have candidate in each constituency for General Election

Shane Ross (pictured) will join up with Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice to form an alliance.  Photograph: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times
Shane Ross (pictured) will join up with Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice to form an alliance. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times

Independent TD for Roscommon South-Leitrim Michael Fitzmaurice has said he will be joining up with Independent TD for Dublin South, Shane Ross to form a new alliance.

Mr Fitzmaurice said Mr Ross was a “very reasonable guy” and said he believes they can work together.

Mr Fitzmaurice said he has been talking to people interested in running for the party from around the country including the west and midlands.

He told RTÉ’s Prime Time they hope to have at least one candidate with a shot at a seat in every constituency in the next General Election. Mr Fitzmaurice was elected in October a by-election for Luke ’Ming’ Flanagan’s vacatedseat .

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Mr Ross told RTÉ the issue of who would lead the alliance has not been discussed. He said members of the alliance will be able to vote and speak as they like on key issues and they hope to “change the face of the Dáil and make it relevant.”

Former Reform Alliance member and Independent TD for Roscommon South- Leitrim, Denis Naughten also said he is interested in joining the alliance. “I think we need to agree a programme and be able to put a proper platform to the people but in principle I do think there’s merit in it,” he said.

Several other independent TDs are set to join the alliance.

Mr Fitzmaurice did not say if the alliance would be left or right wing. “I don’t buy into this left and right. I could say something and people would say he’s right wing, I could say something and they would say he’s left wing,” he said.

His priorities include job creation, agriculture, rural Ireland and social housing, he added.