Fianna Fáil insists it has no interest in ‘rotating taoiseach’ proposal

Fianna Fáil has said it has no interest in cutting a deal with Fine Gael involving a rotating Taoiseach or 50:50 cabinet representation, labelling the move an attempt by the Government to raise the post-election stakes.

A senior party spokes- person and several front-bench TDs insisted last night that the proposal does not interest them and that the opposition party will not break campaign promises not to enter power with its long-time rival.

However, despite the strong denial, a number of TDs privately admitted the option will be considered once tomorrow’s Taoiseach nomination vote ends in stalemate — depending on what ministerial portfolios are put on the negotiation table.

A senior party spokesperson and several front-bench TDs lashed out at the proposal that Fine Gael is open to rotating the Taoiseach position between Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin and a 50:50 cabinet split in return for Fianna Fáil support, as reported in yesterday’s Irish Examiner.

Jobs spokesperson Dara Calleary accused the government party of “mischief making” and attempting to “raise the stakes”, saying Fine Gael is “floating these kites” to give the impression Fianna Fáil will break its promise not to go fully into government with Fine Gael.

Social protection spokesperson Willie O Dea said a rotating Taoiseach proposal is “a daft idea” and while Fine Gael may be warming to the idea of a grand coalition, “I don’t agree with it because it would open the door to Sinn Féin”.

Children’s spokesperson Robert Troy mirrored the views by saying “we have clearly outlined our position and it hasn’t changed, we’re trying to form an alternative government to Fine Gael”, while a senior party spokesperson stressed Fianna Fáil is not looking beyond tomorrow’s Taoiseach nomination Dáil vote.

One party member said if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael eventually speak, the success of talks will depend solely on what type of ministerial portfolios are available.

Another said while most TDs are strongly opposed to a grand coalition, they may consider a minority government, while a third said that there are few other options.

However, a fourth TD, who did not wish to speak publicly, said there is “no getting away” from the fact Fianna Fáil said during the election it would not cut any deal with Fine Gael, and that “it would be a pretty big broken promise”.

The comments came as Mr Martin continued to seek Independent and smaller party support for tomorrow’s vote in a bid to gain the upper hand on Mr Kenny.

The opposition leader met with Dublin-based Katherine Zappone and Maureen O’Sullivan separately yesterday, and is due to seek further support from the three Social Democrat TDs this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit will meet again today to formally decide on whether to put forward its own candidate.

It had been expected a meeting yesterday would result in a nominal TD candidate being put forward as a protest by the radical left group.

However, despite meeting yesterday, the political group has yet to make a formal decision, and will discuss the matter again today with a decision expected by late afternoon.