Senator Malcolm Byrne says Verona Murphy’s Wexford Independent Alliance ‘is now a political party’

"If members of Verona Murphy's party are elected to Wexford County Council, they will have to negotiate in the allocation of positions as well as to set out council policy and the annual budget. I think the electorate is entitled to know if they will work with other parties in making those decisions and if they will be constructive in their approach," he said.

Sen Byrne pointed out that her one sitting councillor, Pat Barden, formed part of the alliance that currently controls the council, agreed in 2019, that comprises Fianna Fáil, Labour and Independents.

"Verona Murphy votes against the Government and with Sinn Féin on confidence motions in the Dáil. Where will her councillors align when it comes to critical issues at county council level?” said Sen Byrne. “Some of her party candidates have been involved in pacts on the council when they were members of other parties so they will be aware of the need to be cooperative and build alliances in order to form a working majority."

Sen Byrne said the Fianna Fáil councillor group will make their own decisions, free from influence by Oireachtas members or others, but their focus will continue to be on delivering housing, roads and footpaths and community infrastructure. “Any deal they do will focus on those policy objectives but their energies will be directed in a way that is positive and constructive."

A spokesperson for Deputy Murphy said: “Verona has never voted with Sinn Fein on a motion of confidence. The Government parties automatically bring a motion of confidence so the motion of confidence never goes to a vote. We welcome the tacit acknowledgement implied in the press release from Malcolm that the Independent Alliance are going to be a significant force in the next council. We have no interest in engaging in jobs for the boys politics that Malcolm seems obsessed with. Whatever we do will represent the people, not serve political parties.”

Responding, Sen Byrne said: “The bigger issue is that it is clearly now a political party and how it will operate at council level.

“That response is disingenuous. You either support the Government on motions or you align with the alternative. The choice for Independents and smaller political parties at the next election is that will they join with the centrist coalition that is likely to be led by Fianna Fáil or the alternative coalition that will be led by Sinn Fein.”