Michéal Martin gets in touch with Social Democrats and Greens TDs

Social Democrat and Greens TDs have suggested they are open to deals with any major party which raises genuine reform proposals after their leaders were contacted directly by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

The smaller parties, which will control five seats in the next Dáil, outlined their readiness for talks as the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil race to shore up support hotted up yesterday.

On Monday evening, Mr Martin called Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy and Greens leader Eamon Ryan to offer his congratulations on their election successes.

He later had lunch with Ms Murphy and fellow party co-leader Róisín Shortall in the Dáil canteen, saying they were having a “chit chat”.

The unplanned meeting occurred after the Social Democrats’ three TDs, Ms Murphy, Ms Shortall, and Stephen Donnelly held a two-hour meeting in Leinster House during which they discussed the new political landscape facing the country.

Ms Murphy said yesterday the party was keen to discuss any reform proposals put forward by other groups and that she had received a missed call from Mr Martin on Monday, but stressed “it doesn’t mean anything” and that addressing the political stalemate is going to take several stages.

However, while Mr Donnelly was keen to keep his cards close to his chest until a wider Social Democrats meeting with candidates and officials later this week, Ms Shortall said yesterday’s meeting saw issues like the likely formation of the next government discussed including whether her party will play a role.

The Social Democrats later published a statement confirming it sent its political reform policy to all party leaders and Independents.

The document includes an anti-corruption agency, reforms to how the Oireachtas performs its work, an overhaul of the party funding system, the vetting of all senior appointments and replacement of the Official Secrets Act — issues which could form part of Mr Martin’s proposed multi-party reform discussions which he wants to occur before a new government is formed.

Greens leader Mr Ryan told the Irish Examiner that while his party has also yet to be contacted by Fine Gael, he received a phone call from Mr Martin on Monday evening to congratulate him on his party’s return to the Dáil.

He said his party is “getting our ducks in a row” and that “we want to talk to everyone” due to the “social responsibility” now facing politicians due to the Dáil stalemate.

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