The leader of Independent Ireland has rejected claims by Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath that he was refused access to the group during Government formation talks.
Michael Collins is leader and founder of Independent Ireland – he says the group waited until the Healy-Rae’s decided whether or not they would support the coalition before considering Mattie McGraths request in order to keep their numbers at a manageable level.
The Cork South West TD told Tipp Today earlier that Deputy McGrath’s subsequent decision to support Micheál Martin as Taoiseach would have ruled him out of the Independent Ireland group anyway.
“I am delighted we didn’t respond to Deputy Mattie McGrath – and our group is delighted we didn’t respond to Deputy Mattie McGrath – because he supported Micheál Martin and the Ministers. If he had been in our group and done that we’d either have to ask him to remove himself or expel him from the group because we are a group in opposition and Deputy McGrath should have known that.
“As for his decision I sometimes feel the way he’s talking to people it’s as if we forced him into supporting the Taoiseach.”