CLLR VINCENT BLAKE, FINE GAEL CLLR JOHN MULLEN, FIANNA FÁIL CLLR PAT FITZGERALD, FIANNA FÁIL CLLR AVRIL CRONIN, FINE GAEL CLLR PAT KENNEDY, FIANNA FÁIL

From a personal point of view I have no objections to Fine Gael forming a coalition government with Fianna Fáil. It is three months since the people voted and it is the responsibility of the TD’s elected to provide the country with a government. It was the opposition to the Fine Gael outgoing government that demanded an election but they have failed to provide an alternative. I also believe that there is enough like minded independent TD’S elected to the Dáil who could support a FG/FF coalition Government. In my view, it’s important that party members have an input here. It’s a tough ask for Fianna Fail because we’re now being asked to go into coalition with Fine Gael, a party we’ve been trying to remove from government since 2011. Before Covid-19, I’d have been completely against it, but I accept the pandemic has changed things and we need a new government. I’d need to see the details of the programme for government before I make up my mind and it’s important that members have their say too. It is disappointing that a Government has not been formed over three months since the general elections. There is urgent legislation that needs to put in place so as to enable the Dail to vote on the bills but it looks at this stage it will take a further four weeks before a Government is formed. On the make up of the government, I would support in principle the likely line up of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green party. It is important that housing, health and the disability sector receive adequate funding in the proposals being put forward. I don’t believe that the proposed coalition is an ideal situation. It’s disappointing that yet again it’s left to the same parties to try form a Government. I have my reservations about the proposed coalition, especially on the impact it will have on rural Ireland and our agricultural sector. We are currently in an extraordinary situation. We are facing difficult times economically and tough decisions will have to be made. We need a strong Government, with strong leadership. One thing we have learned during this pandemic is that Fine Gael have proved they are the steady hands that the country needs right now. The country is going through the worst crisis in living memory and the formation of a government is of paramount importance. All elected members in Leinster House should be stepping up to the mark to work on behalf of the people to get us out of this crisis and create an economic and sustainable road map for the future. In relation to the current talks on the formation of government, I will fully accept whatever the grassroots members of the party decide.