Connemara Independent Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig has said that he will not be accepting an invitation to join Fianna Fáil. Councillor Ó Cuaig made this statement after reports that Fianna Fáil had again been in contact with him about the possibility of him running for them in next years County Council election.

"That's true", Councillor Ó Cuaig said "but I believe that Connemara should have a strong independent voice and I will be contesting as an Independent next year. I hope that I - and other Independents -will be ina position to hold the balance of political power in the County Council after the election.

"At that stage I will be willing to talk to all sides, and that includes Fianna Fáil, about forming a coalition in the Council. How that would work out will depend on what bargain we can strike."

Councillor O Cuaig said he had been approached by Sinn Féin to run for them in a previous General Election and that he had also decided at that time that he wanted to remain Independent.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Councillor Thomas Welby from Oughterard may may run as an Independent in Connemara in next year's County Council election.

It appears that Councillor Welby will not be on the Fianna Fáil ticket - even if the Progressive Democrats are no longer in existence at that stage. Councillor Welby's late father - Tom Welby - was a Fianna Fáil Councillor in Connemara for many years. Thomas Welby won a seat with the Progressive Democrats in Connemara in 2004.