Denis Naughten urges FF-FG deal on water charges, USC

An Independent TD being courted by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has said the two parties must reach agreement on how a minority government can work, as well as on policy issues such as water charges and the USC.

Roscommon Independent Denis Naughten - one of the so-called "rural five" group - said progress must be made on those fronts before non-party deputies show their hands for either Enda Kenny or Micheál Martin.

Mr Kenny and Mr Martin held meetings with their respective negotiation teams ahead of talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on Monday evening.

Some in Fine Gael have expressed hope that Fianna Fáil will acknowledge that a minority government led by Mr Martin is unlikely, which would allow Independents declare for Mr Kenny.

There are differing views within Fianna Fáil on whether such an approach is appropriate although it is acknowledged that a Fine Gael led minority government is the more likely option.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Naughten said it is pointless for the Independents to engage in further talks until Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael settle a number of issues between themselves.

“To date we still have not got agreement between the two parties that they will even respect a majority vote of the members of Dáil Éireann for a candidate for Taoiseach,” Mr Naughten said.

“We have reiterated that we need to see significant detail agreed from both of the proposers of minority Governments, namely Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, on how such a minority government will work; how it will make decisions; how it will resolve unforeseen divergent positions on both sides of the Dáil; how it will pass a budget and how it will have an effective majority on the floor of Dáil Éireann on key policy issues. This is something we have referred to as a Political Partnership Agreement.

“We also need to see the compromise between the two parties on Irish Water and water charges; on the phasing out of the USC; an agreement on the actual ‘fiscal space’ available for the next five budgets and the breakdown between spending on public services and taxation,” he said.

“Until we see this, and until we have clear unambiguous answers to the questions raised above, then it is pointless engaging in any further talks with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.”

He also claimed that many people are “not anxious to be in government” for the next two budgets because of the relatively tight fiscal parameters - with an estimated €500 million available for the next budget.

Mr Naughten, however, said these people would “be quite happy to take over the running of the country in 2019 when public funds become available”

The Independent Alliance - separate to Mr Naughten’s group - has called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to implement three budgets.

Mr Naughten said he and other TDs in the “rural alliance” have engaged in talks on the basis of putting a Government in place for a five year term, not for five weeks or five months.