2 weeks Ago
INDEPENDENT TDS ARE “very serious” about wanting to be the third partner in a potential coalition with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, Simon Harris has said. The Fine Gael leader was speaking to media before the final cabinet meeting of the year this morning. He said that there is a “clear way” for his party and Fianna Fáil to form a government, but that a majority is needed.
“That’s why the third element of the [next] government is really important. It seems to me, from my initial engagements, that Independents are very serious about wanting to be a part of that,” Harris said. He added that he wants to see a coalition formed “ideally before” US President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office on 20 January, but stressed that all parties, including Fine Gael, must first seek a mandate from members to do so.
Asked today if he will be the next Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said Fianna Fáil will continue their discussions with other parties first. He noted, however, that he has been clear, since before the election, that he would like to be leader of the country. Martin said he was aware that the public are anxious for discussions to wrap up quickly so a government can be formed soon.
He did not say, however, if an agreement would be made by January. “I respect the talks process and we’ll see what transpires,” he told reporters. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are meeting the Social Democrats today, separately, as government formation negotiations continue.
Last week the . Though the party are serious about entering government, the Social Democrats has found itself embroiled in scandal – before TDs could take their seats – after newly-elected Eoin Hayes . Asked about the controversy, and whether it would impact today’s discussions, the Fianna Fáil leader said: “It’s a matter for the Social Democrats.
” “I’d have observations on that later but I think, for today’s meeting, we’ll focus on policy and substance.” While there have been reports of a split within Labour as to whether or not the party should seek to enter a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, . The has separately reported today that leader Ivana Bacik has internally ruled out going into government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil without the Social Democrats.
A final meeting with Labour’s governing council and members will take place this week where the party will decide its next move, a spokesperson said yesterday. The party is viewed as the only alternative to Independents for the third party in the next coalition..
