Group of independents declines meeting with Programme for Government parties

PHOTO: Denis Naughten

A group of independents in which Roscommon/Galway TD Denis Naughten plays a leading part have declined an invitation to a meeting with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and The Green Party.

The group of eight independent TDs, known as The Regional Group, say they had been invited to a briefing on the Programme for Government by the three parties.

However, they declined the invitation stating that there was "no merit discussing a document which has no status pending a vote of the three parties".

"As the ratification process is still underway within the three parties there is little point in discussing a document that cannot be add to, subtracted from or changed."

"The Regional Independents will now await the outcome of the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Green Party consideration of the Programme for Government."

The Regional Independents consists of: Cathal Berry, Sean Canney, Peter Fitzpatrick, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Verona Murphy, Denis Naughten (convener), Matt Shanahan.