Lowry and fellow TDs seek deadline on Government formation talks 

As a member of the Regional Group of Independent TDs that met with Fianna Fail and Gael on Monday of this week, Deputy Michael Lowry issued a joint statement following the talks stating that “it is time for a clear deadline from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on when they expect a decision from smaller parties on whether they will enter discussions on the formation of Government and when substantive talks will start on an actual programme for Government, say the 8 Independent TDs in the Regional Group”.
The statement continued: “We are now in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, facing into challenging economic times with significant threats to jobs as well as the ongoing challenges of housing, agriculture and health. The public needs leadership that can only be provided by a stable Government with a clear mandate and this needs to happen quickly.”
Deputy Lowry said that following a constructive meeting of Regional Independent TDs with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on Government formation, the group has made it clear that it is willing to engage in meaningful talks on a Programme for Government - but only as an equal partner in such discussions and not as a last minute addition to make up numbers.
“While the caretaker Government, working with the public health officials, has brought us to this stage in the management of Covid-19 pandemic, to progress to recovery mode and provide certainty to the Irish people it is imperative that we move from talking about Government formation into real and substantive talks on an actual Programme for Government.”
Along with Deputy Lowry, the members of the Regional Group include Cathal Berry TD, Sean Canney TD, Peter Fitzpatrick TD, Noel Grealish TD, Verona Murphy TD, Matt Shanahan TD and Denis Naughten TD (Convener).