MARTIN Tipped for Top job
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MICHEAL Martin is set to become Taoiseach after a “Green new deal” for Government ended a century of Civil War politics.
The leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael – propped up by the Greens – have agreed to enter a historic coalition for the first time.
It will mean a “rotating Taoiseach” with Mr Martin taking the role until December 2022 before handing over to Leo Varadkar.
The Fine Gael leader said he did not know what job he might hold but is likely to become Tanaiste while Greens leader Eamon Ryan will be given an office in the Taoiseach’s department.
The draft agreement finally broke four months of stalemate since the February 8 election.
The Programme for Government – which last night won overwhelming support at the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail meeting while three Green TDS abstained – pledged a Recovery Fund to kickstart the economy after the Covid-19 crisis.
A national plan will be unveiled in this year’s Budget which will include a “tax shield” to ensure no hikes in PAYE or USC.
It also commits the coalition to tough measures to combat climate change.
The Cabinet is set to be made up of six ministers each from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and three Green TDS.
However, Sinn Fein – which won the largest slice of the popular vote – blasted the deal.
The 139-page draft – Our Shared Future – claims to represent the “best thinking from three distinct parties”.
It stated: “Ireland is at a defining moment. We face urgent challenges which touch every community. In the space of a few short months our world has turned upside down.
“Covid-19 has presented the global community with a terrible set of challenges to add to the ongoing climate and biodiversity emergency.
“We are asserting our ambition to meet these challenges, repair the damage inflicted by the pandemic and take the renewed spirit arising from these challenging times and translate it into action.” Mr Martin claimed his party’s fingerprints were evident in the programme.
He said: “Every party doesn’t win everything. This is the sum total of three parties coming together. “There’s a challenging time ahead economically as a result of Covid-19. I think the programme for government does represent a new departure in how we deal on key issues such as housing, education, health and above all the significant challenge of climate change.”
Mr Varadkar said Fine Gael will enter a
third straight term in Government for the first time. The deal will see him step aside months after claiming re-electing Mr Martin as Taoiseach would be like “John Delaney returning to the FAI.”
Mr Varadkar added: “It gives the country what it needs – a stable
Government.” Insiders say the Greens won key concessions which will see carbon emissions slashed by 7% a year.
Every minister will be asked to produce a strategy within six months which must have climate action as a
This is the sum total of three parties coming together MICHEAL MARTIN DUBLIN YESTERDAY
“core pillar”. The draft proposes a powerful new Dail Committee on Climate Action and carbon tax rises.
Mr Ryan tried to ease fears that strong climate measures will target farming. He said: “Rural Ireland is going to be good at going green.” The 139-page draft document added the Government would consider “additional measures to support the hospitality, retail, entertainment, arts and leisure sectors”.
It has promised a task force to save the night-time economy of pubs,
nightclubs and venues – commitments welcomed by vintners groups.
However, critics say it has no costings while the IMO slammed the lack of detail on how the health sector will meet the Covid-19 challenges.
The coalition will have a Dail majority of 85 – Fianna Fail won the most seats with 38, Fine Gael has 35 and the Greens 12.
Sinn Fein won 37 seats and the largest share of the popular vote but it failed in efforts to form a left-wing coalition.
Mary Lou Mcdonald is set to become a formidable – and popular – opposition leader. She said: “It is an attempt to deny change. Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin set
about excluding Sinn Fein from talks and, in doing so, excluded the demand for change that came from the people.
“Workers and families must not shoulder the pain of the economic crisis. There can be no return to austerity.
“To those who believe in a changed Ireland, I say, ‘I hear you. I see you. I stand with you’.”
■ A shock Irish Times IPSOS/MRBI poll revealed Mr Varadkar’s approval rating has soared to 75% during the pandemic.fine Gael support is also up to 37%, while Fianna Fail has slumped to 14%. The Greens are up four to 12% with Sinn Fein unchanged at 25%.