Micheál coy on a coalition with SF
FF leader again fails to rule out a future deal
MICHEÁL Martin has again refused to rule out a coalition with Sinn Féin after the next election, saying any decision would be based on ‘policy’.
But the Tánaiste was heavily critical of the party over its position on Europe and its tendency for ‘U-turns’.
While Fianna Fáil leader Mr Martin previously firmly ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, after the last general election, leading to a historic coalition with Fine Gael, he has noticeably refused to do so again less than a year out from the next poll.
At his party’s Ard Fheis yesterday, Mr Martin said: ‘I’ve made it very clear there are fundamental differences between Fianna Fáil
‘Fundamental differences’
and Sinn Féin’s policy positions. I think if you look at the last two weeks, for example, Sinn Féin demonstrated a very significant capacity to flip-flop, to U-turn to an alarming degree.
‘I’ve always made the assertion that Sinn Féin is a very antiEuropean party and again you are seeing evidence of that in the last two weeks. Sinn Féin does not get the European Union. Their antics on the migration and asylum pact again illustrates that point.
‘And as far as I’m concerned, we can’t go into government with Sinn Féin if it maintains policy positions like the one it’s maintained on Europe.’
He also criticised Sinn Fein’s ‘flip-flopping on the whole area of the Middle East’.
He said: ‘One week, they were not calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador. They came under pressure in Belfast. The following week, they were putting down motions for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador, to me revealing, apparently, that they do not get government.’
Asked if he was ruling out a coalition with Sinn Féin, he said any decision would be on ‘policy grounds’. He added: ‘We will consult with my party. [Fianna Fáil TD] Willie [O’Dea] and others would be the first to say they want to be consulted. He will be consulted with and we will consult with the remainder of the party. Policy is the bottom line.’
Mr Martin said Sinn Féin and others were against trade agreements made by the EU that were ‘fundamental’ to the Irish economy. In his speech last night, he added: ‘When you look at the reality of politics today, there couldn’t be a bigger difference between our positive programme of sustained and practical action, and the negative politics of Opposition parties.
‘In the case of Sinn Féin, we have the most cynical and destructive opposition in our history. Time and again they put politics first in everything.
‘We’ve seen recently how scared Sinn Féin is of ever having to make a tough decision – constantly moving back and forth on issues, always looking for a way to exploit problems rather than help solve them.
‘And even though they spend 90% of their time attacking Government parties in aggressive and often personal terms, if you dare to answer back, they start claiming that you are obsessed.’
Mr Martin also said the Government is ‘running out of time’ to explain a referendum on patents to the public in time for the local and European polling day on June 7, when it was due to be held.
‘My view is that time is running short between now and the local elections,’ he said.
‘I’ve always had a view myself that referendums ideally should be held on their own, and not in the context of other elections.’
He continued: ‘Others have different views. Others felt that with local elections and European elections, you get a reasonable turnout to vote on a given referendum.
‘The problem is getting the focus and time to focus on important issues. To amend the Constitution is a very serious issue. And it needs proper time, proper preparation and an explanation to the public. In this case the Electoral