The Reform Alliance is holding a conference in Dublin today.

Up to 500 people are expected for the group's conference in the RDS.

Most of the seven members of the Reform Alliance say they're not interested in setting up an official breakaway party.

But today's event will provide an ideal platform to test the waters and see if there's enough public appetite to make a firm decision and break away from Fine Gael.

Members say a large number of councillors are planning to attend - and that there's a lot of interest among people looking to run under the Reform Alliance banner in the local elections in May.

But outside of its seven founders, only two Oireachtas members have said they'll attend.

They're Mattie McGrath - who's just been kicked out of the Dáil's Technical Group - and senator Rónán Mullen, who's running in the European elections this year.