Michéal Martin calls for month of reform talks

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has fired the first shot in post–election government talks ahead of a crucial vote on who will be Taoiseach in the new Dáil next week.

As the Cabinet meets today to pick up the pieces of the general election defeat, Mr Martin has sought to seize the initiative by demanding radical Dáil reform as a precondition to any government formation talks.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s option of shoring up support from Independents was crumbling last night as several groups and individual TDs ruled out any deal with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.