Former Clare TD Michael McNamara has claimed that an Independent TD from Clare could be pivotal in shaping policies of the next government.
The former Labour TD has announced that he’s running in next month’s election, which is expected to be called on either February 7th or 14th.
The Taoiseach says he’s made up his mind on the election date, but he’s remaining tight lipped for now.
It is widely expected to be called on Wednesday or Thursday and held on either the 7th or 14th of February.
But Leo Varadkar wants to meet his cabinet tomorrow before making an announcement, and the European Commission President is due to visit on Wednesday.
Fianna Fáil’s accusing the Government of grandstanding though, when it comes to the timing of the election – the party’s Director of Elections, Dara Calleary thinks the Taoiseach is calculating everything very carefully.
There will be at least ten candidates on the ballot paper here.
Three from Fine Gael – Pat Breen, Joe Carey and Martin Conway.
Three from Fianna Fáil – Cathal Crowe, Timmy Dooley and Rita McInerney.
Roisín Garvey will run for the Greens, and before today Michael Harty and Joseph Woulfe announced their intention to run as Independents.
Today, they’ve been joined by former Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara who will stand as an Independent, having quit the party this past summer.
He had hinted the move was on the cards before, including during last year’s local elections and says he wants to address what he called the growing divide between rural Ireland and Dublin.
