McDonald accuses Martin of 'hypocrisy and double standards' over government talks with Michael Lowry

Mary Lou McDonald has accused Tanaiste Micheal Martin of “hypocrisy and double standards” as he engages in government formation talks with Michael Lowry – while not talking to Sinn Fein.

In an exclusive interview with the Irish Mirror, Ms McDonald said that while Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in government is the “worst possible outcome”, adding Mr Lowry and the Regional Independents into the mix “really puts the tin hat on things.”

Ms McDonald’s party won 39 seats in November’s general election. While Sinn Fein continues to engage with other parties, it has now accepted that it is heading for another stint on the opposition benches.

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Following the General Election, Ms McDonald said she expected to call Mr Martin to discuss government formation. She told the Irish Mirror she had not yet done this.

“He has been quite definitive in saying that he does not want to speak to us, and that’s the end of the matter,” Ms McDonald said.

“I think that’s terrible. Whether or not a governmental arrangement arises from that conversation, I think it’s really high-handed.

“I think it’s arrogant, actually, to say we will not speak to the second-largest party in the Dáil that represents hundreds of thousands of people, that has 39 TDs, that’s the largest party on the island of Ireland.

“Even though he’ll travel north of the border and homilise about respect and people’s mandates and talking to people and dialogue. I think there’s a huge contradiction there for Micheal Martin.”

Tanaiste and Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald during the final TV leaders' debate
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

It is growing increasingly likely that when the Dáil comes back in January, it will return a government made up of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Michael Lowry’s Regional Independents.

The Moriarty Tribunal investigated, among other things, Mr Lowry’s dealings with several high-profile businessmen and payments made to politicians.

It found that Mr Lowry’s attempt to influence a rent review of a building part-owned by Ben Dunne – which was being leased to Telecom Éireann – was “profoundly corrupt, to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking”.

In a Dáil debate in March 2011, Mr Martin called for Mr Lowry to resign from Dáil Éireann.

Ms McDonald told the Irish Mirror that she would not speak to Mr Lowry in a bid to form a government, saying she did not have “anything politically in common with Michael Lowry” and she did not think he would have “any interest” in speaking to her party.

Independent TD for Tipperary, Michael Lowry
(Image: Collins)

She said she respects his mandate from the voters in North Tipperary.

“I think if you would have said to anybody a couple of years ago that a government formation would depend on Michael Lowry, people would have scratched their heads and asked you if that was possible,” she said.

“In 2011, there were very serious findings. The Moriarty Tribunal made very serious findings against him. There was a motion here in the Dáil. Micheal Martin excoriated him, called for his resignation and so on. Yet, here we are.

“That underscores two things: first of all, the kind of hypocrisy and double standards of Micheal Martin. Secondly, I think a question arises around what kind of government are we looking at? Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and then Michael Lowry independents.

“I said in the course of the election, the worst possible outcome is Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in government again. That remains my view. But now throw in the mix, Michael Lowry independents to really – as my mother would say – put the tin hat on things.”

A spokesman for the Tanaiste said: “Michael Lowry has been elected by the people of Tipperary three times since 2016 and he has supported government in every Dail since then.

“In that light, in the interests of forming a stable government following the general election, we will engage with Michael Lowry about support for a potential coalition agreement.’

Elsewhere, Ms McDonald has confirmed that a presidential run is “not on the horizon” for her when the election to replace President Michael D Higgins takes place next year.

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