Fianna Fáil’s courtship has a tryst in the tail

Political posturing on Ireland’s largest local authority was turning into a ‘Lanigan’s Ball’ farce last night as Fianna Fáil kept stepping in and out of looking for a coalition dance partner.

Fri, 06 Jun, 2014 - 01:00

Sean O’Riordan

Firstly Fianna Fáil, which has become the largest party on Cork County Council with 17 seats, went courting Sinn Féin (10 seats), but was rejected.

Then they looked for the hand of Fine Gael, but were rebuffed with their initial advances. But, like a desperate man on the hunt in a ‘Ballroom of Romance’, Fianna Fáil then took a shine to the Independents (10 seats) and Labour (2) for a three-in-a-bed finale.

This coalition would have given the party a majority on the 55-seater council.

However, Fianna Fáil seemed to be jilted when some Independents decided they weren’t for dating and, as the last slow dance came up, Fianna Fáil looked for amour with the arch-enemy.

Late last night, talks were still ongoing, but Fine Gael was believed to be looking for a deal with the Independents, leaving Fianna Fáil courting out the back of the car park on their bicycles, set to ride home without anybody on the crossbar.

If neither of the big guns settles down with their paramours today, it could get very messy when the new and expanded 55-seater council meets for the first time in County Hall.

Rotational appointment

Fianna Fáil is expected to propose Mary Shields for Lord Mayor of Cork at a meeting this evening. It is understood that a rotational system for the next five years was discussed by councillors last night.

That rotation would involve Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Independents. It would see a Sinn Féin mayor after Fianna Fáil, followed by Fine Gael. Year four would likely go to Fianna Fáil, then the Independents.

While Ms Shields will be nominated tonight, discussions will take place next week on the subsequent years.

Sinn Féin’s Chris O’Leary tweeted: “#d’HondtSystem agreed for Cork City Council the #PactIsDeath”.