Fianna Fáil meet ‘to take stock’ of election

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s “power grab” proposals for the Dáil will dominate the agenda of the first meeting of TDs today.

Those who were elected last weekend will gather today in Leinster House to review the party’s better- than-expected result.

Mr Martin is expected to thank the TDs and the staff for their efforts and will also take the opportunity outline the importance of his Dáil reform proposals.

“There is a window here and Micheál will take the opportunity to outline his Dáil reform ideas to the new expanded team when it meets,” a spokesman said.

Mr Martin captured the initiative on Monday when he demanded radical reform of Dáil procedure as a pre-condition to any discussion about forming a Government.

Fine Gael have responded positively to the proposals and other parties have also supported the calls from Mr Martin.

The party is scrambling to gain support from as many Independent TDs as possible for Micheál Martin’s nomination as Taoiseach and today’s meeting is expected to discuss strategy about trying to form a Government.

The meeting will see the party’s ranks swollen by 24 TDs, including 19 first time members.

According to a party spokesman, the meeting will primarily be about “taking stock” of the election result and welcoming the new members of the team.

Several of the new TDs have said they would be willing to support a minority Fine Gael government in order to avoid another election.

Others are completely opposed to a Fine Gael- Fianna Fáil “grand coalition” and insist Enda Kenny should be replaced as Taoiseach by Micheál Martin.

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