'50 shades of Independents will cause confusion' says Fine Gael's Clendennen

Fine Gael's Dáil hopeful in Offaly, Cllr John Clendennen, has argued that the proliferation of Independent candidates in Friday's general election has the potential to cause confusion and instability.

In a statement today (Tuesday), the Kinnitty candidate said instability was "a recipe for disaster" at a time when the country was facing global challenges.

"We now have 50 shades of Independents – we have Independent Ireland, rural Independents, Independents for change, independent Independents, and others," stated Cllr Clendennen.

"Some have produced either uncosted or badly costed manifestos. Others just like to knock the track record of others, without any plan of their own, to do anything specific in a positive way.

"To knock is easy, to progress positively is always a challenge but is the only path to progress and stability," he argued

"A stable and progressive future for all households, communities, businesses, farmers and others can only be provided having properly costed, well thought-out policies based on engagement and fairness.

"That does not come from disparate groupings with significant competing priorities or, indeed, no priorities at all," he concluded.