Independents in Government would put recovery at risk, says Joan Burton
Joan Burton has said that any Fine Gael / Labour Coalition Government propped up by independents would put Ireland's recovery at risk.
The Tánaiste said she is deeply concerned at the suggestion that the current Government might have to make a deal with independents after the election to stay in power.
Minister Burton said she would not like to be beholden to independents with differing personal and local agendas.
"To actually hand, if you like, a critical role in our Government to different independents with different personal agendas and different local agendas, well, that would be to put the very recovery at risk," she said.
Enda Kenny has refused to rule out the possibility of a deal with Michael Lowry if Fine Gael needs to make up the numbers.
Publishing proposals on mental health this afternoon, Fianna Fáil TD Colm Keaveney said that the Taoiseach is already making overtures to Independents.
"He is wolf-whistling and probably communicating behind the scenes to a number of Independents, in a desperate measure to shore up what, clearly, they're hearing on the doorstep," he said.
