Politics

Enda Kenny rules out backing Fianna Fáil minority government

Acting Taoiseach says Fine Gael, as largest party, has responsibility to form coalition

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks to the media at Government Buildings. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks to the media at Government Buildings. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Sarah Bardon
Fri Apr 01 2016 - 21:12

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called on Fianna Fáil to act responsibly but insisted he would not support a minority Government.

Mr Kenny said Fine Gael is the largest party and had the responsibility to form a Government.

Speaking at Government Buildings on Friday evening following talks between Fine Gael negotiators and Independent TDs, Mr Kenny confirmed the party would not back the Government-led by Fianna Fáil.

During the talks, Fine Gael tabled proposals which include a climbdown on the party’s commitment to abolish the Universal Social Charge. The party says it will now seek the support of the Oireachtas to phase out the levy and will direct the proposed new budgetary committee to examine the proposals.

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Mr Kenny said he would meet Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on Wednesday.

Asked when the talks would conclude, Mr Kenny said: “I don’t want to raise expectations here to be quite honest with you, the formation of government is a really serious business, we have been really serious about business with Independents and smaller parties over the past five days.

“I cannot give you the outcome of when the this will be finalise but I hope to work and continue to work at it diligently and constructively.

“I do hope the Fianna Fáil party who said that they would be responsible in this matter will do so.”

The two party leaders spoke again on the phone on Thursday night after a day of confusion on when the negotiations would commence.

It is understood the Fianna Fáil leader stressed the need to conclude negotiations with the Independents before speaking with Fine Gael.

Mr Kenny had been eager to meet on Friday but the two party leaders have agreed to commence discussions next week.

Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan met Independent TDs on Friday to give a briefing on the economy.

The discussion began with a further debate on housing measures and the party is expected to have a Programme for Government prepared for early next week. Mr Noonan told the Independents a new election would cost the exchequer €40 million.

All 15 Independent TDs still in talks with the two main parties are expected to abstain or vote against both Mr Martin and Mr Kenny when the Dáil sits next Wednesday.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae accused the two parties of behaving like children over such a trivial issue, while Shane Ross, another Independent involved in the talks, said it was “adolescent”.

In the likely event of nobody being elected taoiseach next week, the Dáil is expected to meet a week or a fortnight later to vote again.