TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen is expected to have individual meetings with the three Independent TDs supporting his Government to discuss the deals made with them by his predecessor Bertie Ahern.
The three, Finian McGrath, Dublin North Central; Jackie Healy-Rae, Kerry South; Michael Lowry, Tipperary North, met Mr Cowen as a group shortly before he took over as Taoiseach.
"The new Taoiseach will be anxious to show that he can hold his Dáil majority as effectively as Mr Ahern did,'' said a Government source. "He will want to keep the three Independents on side, although he is likely to be more direct in his dealings with them. Problems could emerge, however, if there is a significant downturn in the economy and money is scarce."
When he meets them individually, the Taoiseach is expected to assure them that he will honour commitments made by Mr Ahern, subject to the prevailing economic climate. Mr Cowen's programme manager, Joe Lennon, is also expected to attend the meetings.
Mr Healy-Rae and Mr Lowry have kept a low profile on constituency projects they have secured, but Mr McGrath, who has a more volatile constituency organisation, has made known what he has secured and his priorities for the future. Mr McGrath has estimated that, so far, he has secured €15.7 million in constituency projects.
He told The Irish Timesyesterday that he was happy with his initial meeting with the new Taoiseach. "His Government will continue to get my vote as long as it delivers on the issues which are important to me," he added.
A key project for Mr McGrath is the €34 million in funding for a national cystic fibrosis centre in St Vincent's Hospital. "There can be no rowing back on that,'' he said.
It is expected that Mr Cowen will continue the practice initiated by the Ahern government, whereby the Chief Whip will meet them every Tuesday when the Dáil is sitting. A civil servant in the Department of the Taoiseach will also be retained to liaise with them.
