State of independents: how the Dáil arithmetic is shaping up

In terms of forming a government, the 21 Independent TDs can be divided into three groups in terms of government formation: the possibles, the impossibles and the improbables

Michael Healy Rae with Cian O’Sullivan on his knee, alongside the extended HealyRae clan – Johnny, Elaine, Michael, and Maura celebrate the first day of the Dáil term Picture: Rollingnews

The political landscape for the independent TDs who could play a role in government formation has changed, but their enthusiasm remains.

The predictions before the election of having €11 billion in extra spending to tap into over the next five years are no longer relevant, and any new government is set to face the significant task of continuing to battle the Covid-19 outbreak and attempting to recover from it if and when it subsides.

Yet ...