Discussions over fielding as many as 20 “independent rural candidates”, under a new party or group banner, to contest the next Dail election are ongoing.
Three Independent rural TDs are driving the plan for a “farmers” party, Michael Collins (Cork South-West), Mattie McGrath (Limerick) and Richard O’Donoghue (Limerick County).
All three are members of the existing technical Rural Independent Group in the current Dail. The three other members are the Healy-Rae brothers in Kerry, Michael and Danny, and Carol Nolan, Laois-Offaly.
The three have been gathering candidates for the local and European elections but claim to have 20 for the general, from Cork, Limerick, Galway, Monaghan and Cavan constituencies.
"I'd be comfortable to think that we'd be able to put forward 20 candidates," Mr Collins told RTÉ's Morning Ireland, adding ultimately he and others want to form a new party.
Former Fianna Fáil Cavan Councillor Shane P O’Reilly has already announced his inclusion in the plan, announcing he wants to run in the next general election, potentially under a proposed "Independent Community Rural Candidates" banner.
Independent Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice separately has strongly suggested he wants to form a “rural party” with a plan to be part of a coalition government, or at least supporting the next one.
