Heneghan tipped to be part of next government

Newly-elected Dublin TD Barry Heneghan is set to support the next government.

On Monday evening, the Regional Group, consisting of independent TDs such as Heneghan, Michael Lowry, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Gillian Toole, Sean Canney, and Marian Harkin said they expect to be “formally invited” to join government talks later this week.

“The group intend to negotiate and act as a cohesive group,” they said in a statement.

The independent grouping backing Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government is identical to the make-up of the 2016-2020 government where Fine Gael led the government in a coalition with independents and Fianna Fáil agreed to confidence and supply.

Said coalition collapsed in 2020 after Fianna Fáil threatened to back a motion of no-confidence in then-Minister for Health Simon Harris.

Shortly after winning election in November, Heneghan joined the Regional Group consisting of fellow independent TDs as well as Aontú’s two TDs.

Heneghan’s journey to a Dáil seat was rapid, having only been elected to Dublin City Council for the first time in June 2024.

Dublin Bay North poll-topper Cian O’Callaghan said on Tuesday afternoon that his party, the Social Democrats, have walked from talks, noting “it is clear that the direction of travel, in government formation talks, is very firmly towards a deal with independent TDs.”

With Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael just two seats short of a Dáil majority – and ruling out talks with Sinn Féin under any circumstances – the coalition parties are now looking for enough independent TDs to keep their Dáil majority secure, Heneghan among them.

Heneghan’s potential involvement in government has echoes of his political mentor Finian McGrath being named Minister of State with responsibility for disability in the 2016-2020 government, and other outlets have reported that the independents’ price for backing Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in 2025 involves being granted a “super junior” ministry.

During that government, Dennis Naughten served as Minister for Communications and Environment, Shane Ross served as Minister for Transport and Sport, and Katherine Zappone served as Minister for Children.

Ross, Zappone and McGrath all lost their seats in the 2020 general election.