Fianna Fáil TDs’ opposition to grand coalition with FIne Gael hardens

At least eight of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s most senior TDs have specifically ruled out cutting any deal with Fine Gael — potentially risking a second election.

High-profile TDs Barry Cowen, Willie O’Dea, Sean Fleming, Robert Troy and Dara Calleary have in the last 24 hours stressed the prospect of a grand coalition is not on the cards.

Other senior figures Éamon Ó Cuív, Niall Collins and Thomas Byrne have also said there is no possibility of any deal with Enda Kenny’s party.

And while Fianna Fáil insists an alternative minority government involving smaller parties’ and Independents’ support is its only focus, if there is no change in position, Fianna Fáil faces either trying to form an unlikely minority coalition of its own, being forced to backtrack into a Fine Gael deal — or risk a second election.

Responding to a report in Tuesday’s Irish Examiner that Fine Gael is prepared to offer Fianna Fáil a 50:50 cabinet split and rotating taoiseach, environment spokesperson Barry Cowen said his party has zero interest in such a proposal.

“We cannot break the greatest promise we gave, which was not to go into government with Fine Gael, in the first week of the Dáil,” the Fianna Fáil front-bencher told RTE Radio.

“One of the major planks contained in our manifesto and repeated over the course of the campaign, was when you and others put the question to me ‘would we coalesce with Fine Gael’, the resounding answer was no,” he said.

Asked about the same situation yesterday, social protection spokesperson Willie O’Dea said “no, my view is still the same, I do not favour a grand coalition with Fine Gael” and rejected the possibility of any deal being struck.

Public expenditure spokesperson Sean Fleming was similarly critical of any potential negotiations, saying Fianna Fáil is only focussed on seeking to lead a minority government with smaller party and Independent TD support.

Public expenditure spokesperson Sean Fleming

He said the Fine Gael offer is about “internal Fine Gael rows” and “them trying to hold onto power”, adding “the job of Fianna Fáil is very simple, to remove the Fine Gael government”.

Similar views were expressed by children’s spokesperson Robert Troy and jobs spokesperson Dara Calleary on Tuesday night, while agriculture spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív and justice spokesperson Niall Collins have previously insisted they are not in favour of any deal.

Jobs spokesperson Dara Calleary

The opposition party risks painting itself into a corner as it is unclear whether it has enough support from smaller parties and Independents to form a minority government of its own.

If today’s vote for taoiseach in the Dáil ends in stalemate, President Michael D Higgins is likely to allow time for further negotiations.

Pressure will then mount on Mr Martin to agree to enter talks on either a full coalition, support a minority Fine Gael-led government or show he has enough support from smaller parties andIndependents to take power.