Fine Gael has been urged to consider a stint in opposition to rebuild the party – by one of its own elected representatives in Galway.

The doubts come as two Galway Independent TDs re-engaged in Government formation talks this week with negotiation teams from the two Civil War parties.

Galway City Councillor in City East, Shane Forde said he was grappling with whether, after 14 years in Government, Fine Gael should retreat to rebuild in opposition.

“I believe that Fine Gael have a lot to reflect on post-election and that maybe some time in opposition would give the party a chance to rebuild both at local and national level,” Cllr Forde told the Tribune.

Fine Gael emerged as the third most popular party after November’s General Election with 38 seats, one less than Sinn Féin and ten behind Fianna Fáil.

It is locked in negotiations with Fianna Fáil and is likely to form another Coalition with Independents. But Councillor Forde has urged senior party members to think again.

“Fine Gael needs to question whether another spell in Government would be beneficial to the party in the long term,” said Cllr Forde, first elected to Galway City Council last June.

Two Galway Independent TDs, Noel Grealish in Galway West and Seán Canney in Galway East, are part of the Regional Technical grouping that is expected to be the ‘third leg’ of the new Government.

Both Grealish and Canney have expressed an interest in ministerial positions in the new Government – and it’s possible, Minister of State roles could be rotated as was the case the last time Independents held the balance of power.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are expected to produce a draft Programme for Government to be presented to Independents before this weekend. When policy is agreed, the jockeying for positions will intensify.

As well as Canney and Grealish, the Regional Technical Group includes Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Michael Lowry, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Verona Murphy, and Gillian Toole.

In a statement they said they had resumed deliberations on policy platform this week, “in anticipation of a formal invitation to enter Government formation talks”.

“The work of the group is ongoing. The group intend to negotiate and act as a cohesive group,” they added.

Meanwhile, national newspaper reports have linked Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris to the position of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs – a move that would have a “hugely negative impact on the party”, according to Cllr Forde.

“I believe that Taoiseach Simon Harris would be better served leading a reform of the Fine Gael party both at national and local levels. I believe that trends towards Fine Gael in the last number of months warrant action, as many members of the party feel isolated and left behind by the party,” he said.

Cllr Forde pointed to slow sales of the Fine Gael National Draw fundraising tickets – down by €300,000 in a year – and claimed there was a level of anger and disillusionment among members over candidate selections for the election.

“The party needs to remember its rural members when making national decisions in Dublin. I hope that senior leaders within the party including Simon Harris will reflect on November’s election and the future of the party,” he added.

Pictured: Cllr Shane Forde…opposition call.