Independent Alliance may abstain from vote for Taoiseach

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin have both been dealt a double blow in their rival bids to gain power.

Members of the Independent Alliance look set to abstain from the vote for Taoiseach when the Dáil convenes on Thursday, it has emerged. And in what is a major setback to Mr Kenny and Micheál Martin, the Social Democrats have said they are unlikely to support either nomination.

Fine Gael sources last night spoke of trying to replicate the 1948-1951 inter-party government, and said that as many as half of the seats of Cabinet could be given away to smaller parties in exchange for support.