Social Democrats alter stance on coalition support

The Social Democrats party says it could support a minority government on a case-by-case basis, despite last week ruling themselves out of serving in coalition.

The party's three TDs – Róisín Shortall, Catherine Murphy and Stephen Donnelly – have said they would not serve in a minority government led by Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

They also called on the two larger parties to co-operate to form a majority or minority government. Now the party says it is open to supporting the policies of a minority government from the opposition benches.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are to continue their talks with Independents and smaller parties this week as they seek to maximise support for Micheál Martin or Enda Kenny when the Dáil again votes on candidates for taoiseach on April 6th. Sources in both parties acknowledge that the vote could produce another stalemate if Independents and smaller parties again abstain.

Grand coalition

Galway West

Independent TD

Noel Grealish

said there would not be a grand coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. He said both parties must discuss how to support a minority government, led by either, before genuine negotiations can take place with non-party deputies and smaller parties.

The three Social Democrat TDs are expected to vote against Mr Kenny and Mr Martin on April 6th. Mr Donnelly said the party would "engage actively on an issue-by-issue basis, and support policy and legislation we believe is good for the country". He did not rule out abstaining on a third vote for taoiseach.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil has distributed a 56-page document to Independents and smaller parties outlining what the party sees may be grounds for government. The document, while largely based on the Fianna Fáil election manifesto, contains measures specifically targeted at the TDs whose support it is courting.

For example, it proposes a so-called super junior minister who will attend cabinet with responsibility for the disability sector, as well as other measures for disabled people. Such a move is aimed at Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath, who has campaigned on disability issues. Other measures such as a new department of climate change are aimed at the Green Party.

Priorities

Mr Kenny will also put a document outlining Fine Gael’s priorities in the negotiations before his parliamentary party today. These are expected to include housing, health and spreading the economic recovery into rural

Ireland

. Mr Kenny will seek the assent of TDs and Senators to continue more detailed discussions on government formation.

Mr Martin will meet his parliamentary party today at 1pm. He will give an update on discussions with the various Independents’ groups.

Sources said that Fianna Fáil’s strategy to approach any possible contacts with Fine Gael over possible grand coalition or support for a minority Fine Gael government was likely to be discussed, but that it was highly unlikely a decision would be made.

Opinion has hardened at all levels of the Fianna Fáil organisation against any possible deal with Fine Gael since the Dáil last met, according to party sources. “I can tell you for definite: there will be no deal with Fine Gael on a coalition,” said one Dublin TD.

Mr Martin and his allies are continuing to discuss the approach they should take if an invitation arrives from Fine Gael to attend talks on a new government, an approach that they anticipate is inevitable.