STILL POLLS APART
»»Martin and Varadkar fail to reach a deal »»Fine Gael wants to form the Opposition We have an obligation to meet the public demands
preliminary meeting. Throughout, the Taoiseach reiterated Fine Gael’s position they wanted to go into Opposition. “We are absolutely clear on who we are going in discussions with. Very clearly you can see the so-called left wing alliance hasn’t really made any progress in terms of numbers in the Dail and that remains a very unlikely scenario.” While the Greens have yet to decide on whether or not they will help form a government, the Social Democrats and Labour have made it clear they will not form a coalition with either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.
Leo Varadkar This means the only way Fianna Fail can form a government is with the support of Fine Gael or Sinn Fein. Mr Martin has made it clear he will not deal with Mary Lou Mcdonald’s party. In a state
THE country is no nearer to having a Government after the leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael met yesterday.
After talks with Micheal Martin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar again said his first preference is for his party to go into Opposition.
Mr Martin added there are urgent issues facing the country.
He said: “The one lesson from the public was the issues of housing, health, climate change and others – people want action that brings about real change.
“That’s what the public want and my view is we have an obligation to try and meet the public’s demands in relation to those issues. Today’s meeting was a ment after talks Fine Gael said both leaders “exchanged views on housing, climate change, health, cost of living, the economy and taxation”.
It added: “Both sides agreed to meet again. The Taoiseach encouraged Fianna Fail to continue engaging with other parties with a view to forming a Government. Fine Gael continues to prepare for Opposition.”
Meanwhile Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald said the party’s rallies are to “continue the conversation” with the public after up to 1,000 people turned up to a meeting in Cork on Monday and another one took place in Dublin last night.
Further meetings are planned for Galway, Cavan and Newry, Co Down.
Ms Mcdonald said: “Election day came and went but the issues didn’t come and go. We still have a housing crisis, we still have huge difficulties in health, people are still under pressure.
“I don’t believe you have the election and then politicians retreat behind high walls and private talks. Faith has been fractured.
“A lot of people are very cynical about the entire political process, that’s negative, that’s a bad thing and I want us to rebuild confidence and hope and that sense of connectedness between people and the political system, and between people and their government.”
Ms Mcdonald said they are continuing their talks with the Greens, Social Democrats and Solidarity-people Before Profit this week
She added: “We are knuckling down beyond generalities and into specific policy areas and proposals.”
MICHEAL MARTIN DUBLIN YESTERDAY