Murphy: economic plan is crucial to our co-operation
INDEPENDENT TD Verona Murphy said she will not support the new FF/FG/Green government unless the draft economic policy they produce delivers for Ireland and Co Wexford.
Deputy Murphy was one of several from the Regional technical group of TDs who met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micháel Martin and Green Party leader Eamonn Ryan on Friday, acknowledging afterwards that no Independent TDs are likely to be part of the new look government.
Deputy Murphy said the party leaders were quite happy with a three party government solution. ‘On that basis if they form a government we will be offering our support, once we see the Programme for Government.’
She said the draft economic policy will be more specific – and therefore – more important a seminal government formation document.
Deputy Murphy said the body language of the three leaders was good, describing the meeting as constructive, ‘from the point of view of where they were at’.
‘At the initial meetings they were looking at taking in a four strong government. They have decided to stick with a tripartite government so at this point no Independent TDs will be involved in government formation. It’s not surprising as they hadn’t come back to us and had gone so far with the Programme for Government. We had told them we were available [to meet] and hadn’t any expectation built up.’
Deputy Murphy said: ‘After the Programme for Government is released – which could be as soon as Thursday – there will have to be an economic policy developed in order for us to support it.’
With a four TD majority, the tri-party government will only ave a marginal majority and will be consequently reliant on other TDs, especially in votes of no confidence, she said. The Regional TDs were informed they will be given the Programme for Government on the same day it is given to all parliamentary parties.