Keep calm and don’t talk water, Michéal Martin tells Fianna Fáil TDs

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has told party TDs to downplay talk of “red line” issues before any potential negotiations on government — which could take at least two months — begin.

The opposition leader gave the official line to what one TD said was a “nicely crowded” post-election parliamentary party meeting yesterday, as he stressed the need not to alienate potential supporters before next Thursday’s taoiseach nominations. Mr Martin gave a short speech to TDs during a 90-minute private meeting at Leinster House at which he was given a standing ovation. He welcomed new politicians before emphasising the need to keep public comments calm over the coming days.

The Cork South Central TD told colleagues water charges is not a “red line issue”, because no talks with Fine Gael or any other party have officially begun.