The Regional Independents' influence is evident in the "deeply underwhelming" programme for government, according to a former Cabinet minister.
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman served as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth from 2020 to 2025.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr O'Gorman said the new programme for government is "deeply underwhelming", and that he believes it is partly down to the influence of "right-wing" Regional Independent TDs.
"During the election campaign I raised my real concern that we would see a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government propped up by right-wing Independents, I said it on a number of occasions particularly in the last week [of campaigning].
"That is exactly what has happened, you see it in the lack of ambition in the programme for government in a huge range of areas, whether it's in the area of climate, childcare, supports for families... it is a deeply underwhelming programme for government."
He was also critical of Labour and the Social Democrats for not taking the chance to go into power.
By them stepping back, right-wing forces have stepped forward.
"I was clear, I believe the Greens didn't have a mandate this time with only one TD, but both Labour and the Social Democrats were given a mandate and I think they should have gone into government.
"I think we showed over our four and a half years what a small party can do, what it can deliver. We're very proud of our track record, we delivered almost everything we set out to in the programme for government in 2020.
"Small parties can have a real influence, and I was surprised at the speed at which both Labour and the Social Democrats kind of surrendered that opportunity.
"By them stepping back, right-wing forces have stepped forward.
"What's the point in running if we don't take the opportunity to make change? Progressive policies are nothing when they're being shouted from the backbenches in opposition.
"Progressive policies only mean something when they're being implemented. We showed that on climate, in the arts, in supports for families, in halving childcare costs."
He pointed to the announcement of additional supports for families with new babies this week as an example of what junior partners can achieve in government.
"The announcement that 4,000 families received the baby boost payment, that was something I got into the last budget as a progressive policy to support young families. That's what you can do in government and I just don't understand parties who aren't willing to consider it, it is a risk and you can suffer from it, but ultimately politics has to be about changing laws not just saving your seat.
"There is an important role for opposition in holding government to account, I've been clear I will do that where I see them following policies I think are wrong, if I see them doing what I think is the right thing I'll support it.
"I'll be continuing my busy work as a constituency TD for Dublin West, and also the work of restructuring the Green Party."
LNG concerns
Mr O'Gorman also expressed concerns about plans for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Ireland, which Taoiseach Micheál Martin has discussed.
"I'm very worried about their plans on LNG, that's something the Greens successfully blocked in our time in government and moved Ireland in the direction of using renewable energies.
"LNG was ready to go off Shannon in 2020 when we came into government but we changed policy and stopped that from happening.
"It's clear the Government are making noises about that now and making noises about new supports for private landlords and private investors... that's something the Green Party wouldn't have stood for in our time in government.
"Those are two very clear different approaches the new government is taking, and in my view very negative approaches."
After its best ever result in 2020, 12 TDs, the Green Party has a long road ahead in rebuilding with Mr O'Gorman the only TD to hold on to his seat in the recent general election.
However, he said he is confident of a brighter future for the party.
"The reaction I get from people is they're saying they're sorry the Greens lost out so badly. Even after the storm [Éowyn] people are saying there must be a realisation there will be more extreme weather events like this because of climate change and it is important to have a strong Green voice in the Dáil highlighting these issues.
"We had a really disappointing election, we lost out on every single bounce of the ball across the constituencies. We got 3 per cent of the vote, Labour got 4.7 per cent, so 1.7 per cent more of the vote but 11 TDs to our one.
"For small parties the margins mean a lot... so I suppose we were on the outer margin this time.
"I believe we can win back many of those votes around the country. It will take hard work and organisation but we will do that, and I think we will win back those seats in the Dáil, in the European Parliament and in county and city councils as well."
