A report in today’s Sunday Independent claims that Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway Michael Fitzmaurice is set to be appointed as Minister for Agriculture in a Fine Gael led minority Government.
It is said that Mr Kenny believes a government programme with a strong rural renewal package will secure the support of Mr Fitzmaurice, Independent Alliance TDs Sean ‘Boxer’ Moran from Longford- Westmeath, Sean Canney from East Galway and possibly also the Waterford TD John Halligan.
On RTE radio yesterday, Mr Fitzmaurice denied that there was a split between urban and rural TDs in the Independent Alliance. “It’s six of us or none of us,” he said.
Fitzmaurice confirmed that he and fellow Independent Alliance TD’s Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Sean Canney, met a Fine Gael delegation in Athlone yesterday.
The Fine Gael delegation included Deputies Eoin Harris and Simon Coveney both sides outlined their positions on a number of issues. Deputy Fitzmaurice described the meeting as “very constructive” and a further meeting will be held again this week.