Doubt cast on pre-Christmas government formation as big parties rally against independents
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin both stated they want a government formed before the US President's inauguration on January 20.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has cast doubt on a government being formed before Christmas as he admitted it will be “very tight” to have a government agreed.
Simon Harris, the Fine Gael leader, also said it “looks very difficult” to see how a “stable” coalition can be formed.
Both men stated that they wanted a government formed before US President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
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Mr Harris even said he would like to meet Mr Trump before the inauguration.
An Irish Times/Ipsos poll earlier this week showed Fine Gael on 19% support, Sinn Féin on 20% and Fianna Fáil on 21%.
Speaking at Fianna Fáil’s final pre-election press conference, Mr Martin said that he believes it “would be” important that a new government is formed before Mr Trump becomes US President again on January 20 but that timelines will be “tight”.
The Tánaiste also cast doubt on a government being formed before Christmas.
Asked by the Irish Mirror if he thought formation talks would be completed before the 34th Dáil sits for the first time on December 18, he again said it was “going to be very tight”. He also said he did not want formation talks to last four months like they did in 2020.
When the same question was put to the Taoiseach in Trim later that afternoon, he also cast doubt upon the possibility of a pre-Christmas government.
He said: “I don't like the crystal ball gazing thing, because who knows. But at the moment, based on lots of recent polls, it looks like we're in a very fragmented political environment.
“On the basis of the last Irish Times poll, it looks very difficult to see how a coalition is formed that is stable.
“People can vote whatever way they wish. It's entirely up to the people. But I currently head a three-party coalition. It worked well, it delivered five budgets.
“You start getting into four parties, five parties, 40/50 independents in the Dáil, that's a very different political construct that could indeed lead to a significant amount of time longer.
“My concern is this, Donald Trump becomes president of the United States in January.
“I’d like if I had clarity that I was likely to be the Taoiseach. I’d like to be seeking an early meeting with President elect-Trump.
“I don't want to be waiting until someone's handing over shamrock in the White House next March. I want an early engagement with President-elect Trump before he even takes office, if possible.”
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin all attempted to dissuade voters from backing independent candidates in the election.
Mr Martin said he was concerned about how the election of a large swathe of independents could impact government formation.
“The next Dáil needs strong representation through political parties in order to enable a government to be formed” the Tánaiste said.
“The function of a general election is to form a government. I think that is a core question facing the people.”
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty, meanwhile, asked people to “lend” his party their vote.
He said: “A vote for independents is not going to change the government.
“It will not bring their young people home, it will not stop them from leaving.”
Elsewhere, a war of words also broke out between Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman and Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín on Wednesday.
Mr O’Gorman argued that it was “looking likely” that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would be returned to Government, but added that they would need support to make up a majority which could result in “right-wing independents” or “small populist parties” padding out the numbers.
Mr O’Gorman said: “We could have the very real possibility of the likes of Mattie McGrath as environment minister in the next number of years, rolling back on the key changes that the Green Party implemented.
“We could have had Peadar Toibin as minister for health, rolling back the reproductive rights that women have won over the last five years.”
In response, Mr Tóibín accused the Greens of “increasingly attacking Aontú”.
“The Greens have damaged farmers, rural Ireland, and commuters,” he said.
“Their management of immigration has been chaotic. Children in state care have gone missing under their Minister.
“We will not hold back holding the Greens to account.
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