Two new Independent TDs in the west have confirmed that they will take a joint approach to any deal with Fianna Fáil. They have called for decentralisation of government departments and the immediate publication of the delayed National Spatial Strategy.
The Sligo-Leitrim TD, Ms Marian Harkin, confirmed that she and Dr Jerry Cowley of Mayo would be talking to other "like-minded Independents" over the coming days and they would be "pro-active" in trying to play a role in the formation of a new government.
"We have taken a decision in principle not to sit around and let events unfold, and we will see if there is a constructive role we can play in the formation of a new government. We believe the people of Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo, who elected us, would expect that," Ms Harkin said.
Their demands would be based on "the delivery of development" to Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo because successive governments had failed to do this. She believed her election proved that the people of Sligo-Leitrim did not believe Fianna Fáil was about to deliver this.
Ms Harkin said she believed the most likely government would be a coalition between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. But the people who voted for her and Dr Cowley wanted them to represent their interests, and they had to be prepared to play an active role in forming a government. She said no approaches had yet been made on either side.
Before the election Ms Harkin, Dr Cowley and an Independent candidate in Roscommon who failed to get elected, Ms Una Quinn, had agreed to form a "working association". In the event of any incoming government needing their support, they would work together to secure common demands for western counties.
Ms Harkin and Dr Cowley have issued a joint statement calling for decentralisation of entire government departments to the regions. They said it was an obvious way to relieve congestion in Dublin.
They also called on the incoming government to publish immediately the National Spatial Strategy, which was due to be completed by the end of last year. It will include recommendations on which towns should be selected as "growth centres", and locations for decentralised government departments, both very politically contentious issues.
The joint statement said "now that the election is removed as an excuse for failing to take decisions", it should be published immediately.
Ms Harkin and Dr Cowley said decentralisation policy had to favour those areas where the infrastructure to attract industry was weakest, and this encompassed the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo.
Dr Cowley said the people of Mayo wanted change because they did not get what they deserved over the past 80 years. "We only got the crumbs," he said.