Shane Ross’s Independent Alliance unveils latest recruits

The Independent Alliance would not “prop up” any government, it said yesterday as it unveiled its latest recruits.

The grouping headed by Independent TDs Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice now has 11 candidates to run in the general election.

Councillors Lorna Nolan, Niamh Kennedy, Kevin Callan, Deirdre O’Donovan, Seán Canney and journalist Carol Hunt will contest the next election.

Senator Feargal Quinn will be chairman of the alliance and Senator Gerard Craughwell is also supporting the group.

Mr Quinn confirmed he would not be running for the Seanad in the next election, after 20 years in the Upper House.

Mr Ross said it was not a party and it would not be bound by any whip except on votes of confidence. He said it would not have specific policies but has 10 “very strong” principles members must adhere to.

The Independent TD said there would be no binding manifesto but it would have demands and priorities that it would put to any possible coalition partner.

He added: “We are not aiming to prop up anybody. That is out of the question.

“What we are aiming to do is say these principles are sacrosanct. Come and talk to us.”

The latest recruits join TDs Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Tom Fleming in the alliance.