The Alliance of Independents has announced seven candidates to run in the next general election, indicating it expects to field 20 candidates in total.

The seven candidates, including journalist Carol Hunt, do not include the Alliance's current TDs and Senators.

TDs Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, John Halligan, Michael Fitzmaurice, Tom Fleming and Senator Gerard Craughwell announced the candidates.

Speaking at Leinster House, Senator Feargal Quinn said he is going to be the Parliamentary Chairman of the Alliance.

However, Senator Quinn said he will not be contesting the next Seanad election.

Welcoming Senator Quinn's decision to accept the role, Mr Ross said "it is no fault of his he is a cousin of Ruairi Quinn".

The alliance was formed following a meeting of TDs, councillors and a senator in Tullamore in March.

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Ross said the party plans to address huge issues.

He said: "What we haven't done is produced the bills and the detail at this stage, because it is simply too early.

"We hope to get more flesh on the bone in September/October," he added.

The alliance of independents are Cllr Deirdre O'Donovan who represents Rathfarnham in South Dublin County council; Cllr/Mayor Kevin Callan who represents Drogheda in Louth County Council; Cllr Sean Canney who represents Tuam on Galway County Council; Carol Hunt, Journalist with Independent News and Media, who will contest a seat in the Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown constituency; Cllr Niamh Kennedy representing Donegal; Cllr Lorna Nolan who represents Mulhuddart on Fingal County Coucil; and Cllr Kevin Moran who represents Athlone on Westmeath County Council.

Speaking today, the members reiterated there would be no party whip, except in relation to confidence votes.

They emphasised it was an alliance, not a political party, and they do not intend to have a binding manifesto.

They said no decision had been made on a name for the group, or whether it would go into government or support a minority one.

Mr McGrath said they were running as independents and were not there to prop up anyone.

The news conference on the plinth at Leinster House was cut short while the candidates were being introduced as Oireachtas rules prevent non-members from speaking to the media on the plinth.