BREAKING: Local independents withdraw from Government formation talks

Fourteen Independent TDs including Michael Fitzmaurice, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Denis Naughten have announced they have stepped back from talks on the formation of a Government.

In a statement this lunchtime, Michael Fitzmaurice said 14 independent TDs had met this morning and decided to 'step back from talks'.

He said they wanted the main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, to deal properly with each other.

'We want the parties to agree on a three-budget programme for a a minority Government and we are withdrawing from the talks process until that can be agreed, and all the 14 Independent TD's are in agreement with that strategy. We have also made it clear that if the main parties want a facilitator to assist with their talks, that will be made available to them.'