Politics

Independent Alliance seeking deal that would last three budgets

Group of six TDs want meeting with Micheál Martin and Enda Kenny today

Independent TD Shane Ross: “Sometimes adults need grown-ups to guide them on the way to maturity. We want to be a catalyst.”Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Sarah Bardon
Sat Apr 09 2016 - 01:00

Independent TDs say they will not be “bullied” into declaring support for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael before next week’s vote for taoiseach.

The two parties have been contacting the 15 Independent TDs to secure support ahead of the vote next Thursday.

However, the Independent Alliance has requested leaders Micheál Martin and Enda Kenny host a joint meeting with them today.

The group of six TDs said they cannot make their allegiances known until they are aware how negotiations between the two parties would conclude. Galway East TD Seán Canney said the alliance wants to act as a facilitator of negotiations between Mr Kenny and Mr Martin.

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He said the discussions would not be about policy but insisted the alliance would seek an agreement that any arrangement would last three budgets.

Mr Canney said said: “It has been 40 days since the election. Right now there has been 40 minutes of discussion between the two party leaders.

“It is being played out like a game of football. Who has the ball, who is the captain, who wants to be captain? It is time for them to sit down in a room and talk calmly.” The alliance said once they are aware of the direction of the discussions with Mr Martin and Mr Kenny they could make a decision.

Dublin South TD Shane Ross said any delay in initiating those talks was “utterly unacceptable” and “crazy”.

‘Grown-ups’

Mr Ross said: “Sometimes adults need grown-ups to guide them on the way to maturity. We want to be a catalyst.”

Waterford TD John Halligan said the Independents were being pressurised into supporting either party leader. He said this was unfair and insisted he would not be “bullied” into declaring either way. Rural TDs of Denis Naughten, Mattie McGrath, Michael Harty, Michael Collins and Noel Grealish are also seeking a meeting with the two party leaders.

Mr McGrath said it was time for all politicians to act responsibly in the best interest of the country. He said: “We want the road map, if we vote for one, either or, that the other will support it. Micheál Martin has said he will support Fine Gael in a minority government, but Fine Gael has refused to say that.

“There is a new field here, a new crop. I’d like that new crop to sit down and form a national government. We cannot let this go on. We have to be responsible for our actions.”