First government formation talks to take place before end of the week
The first meetings of government formation talks will take place before the end of the week, it has been confirmed.
The final of the 174 Dáil seats were filled on Monday evening following last Friday’s election. Fianna Fail will have 48 seats in the next Dáil, followed by Sinn Féin on 39 and Fine Gael on 38.
The Social Democrats and Labour will have 11 TDs each, while People Before Profit will have three and Independent Ireland will have four. Aontú will have two TDs and there will be 16 Independents and one from the 100% Redress party. Roderic O’Gorman will be the sole Green Party TD following their poor results over the weekend.
READ MORE: Election 2024: All 174 seats confirmed as independents eye up government formation
With attention now turning to government formation talks, several parties will meet in the coming days to discuss the next steps.
The Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik will meet with Mr O’Gorman on Thursday and the Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan on Friday.
In addition, Mr O’Callaghan will meet Sinn Féin on Thursday. He said that "political parties that are serious about improving the lives of people in Ireland must immediately get back to work".
Social Democrats’ housing spokesman, Cian O’Callaghan
"It is therefore essential that we work with each other, where possible, to find and implement solutions to these crises," he said.
"The Social Democrats have always been clear that we will meet with every party, post the election, to discuss the potential for co-operation. As a constructive party, which is solution-focused, we are hopeful that these meetings can be both positive and productive.
"In that spirit, I have written to the leaders of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Labour Party to schedule meetings. It is imperative that we meet to discuss what we can do to further collaborate in order to drive a progressive reform agenda."
Mary Lou McDonald has also written to Labour leader Ms Bacik and the Irish Mirror understands this letter has been acknowledged.
The Labour Party has consistently said it wants to talk to smaller parties on the left to build a "left platform" before talking to Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Upfront with Katie Hannon Show on Monday, Dublin Central TD Marie Sherlock said she "there is no circumstance that I can envisage where the Labour Party will be going into government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael".
Labour Senator Marie Sherlock at Leinster House on 11 October 2022
(Image: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos)
She continued: "We can only form a basis for negotiation if we are with other small parties."
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin will all meet separately in Leinster House on Wednesday. The Social Democrats met on Tuesday, while Labour will meet on Thursday.
It is still unclear when Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will meet.
The Irish Mirror understands that despite Fianna Fáil receiving 10 more seats in the election than Fine Gael, Mr Harris’ party will push for "parity of esteem" in government, including equal time in the Taoiseach’s office and an equal number of senior cabinet ministers.
The Tánaiste and Fine Gael Justice Minister Helen McEntee are due to face questions at a press conference that is being held on Tuesday evening in Dublin with Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hillary Benn.
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