Enda Kenny vows to ‘intensify’ efforts to form government
With no sign of a government being formed in the coming weeks, TDs yesterday dismissed suggestions of another election and called on the two big parties to form a stable partnership.
Mr Kenny has now taken on the role of a caretaker taoiseach after four nominations for a new government leader yesterday failed to get the numbers required.
Mr Kenny was nominated by Fine Gael TD Noel Rock, who cited his party leader’s successes in introducing marriage equality and from saving the country’s finances from “the abyss”.
“Yes, it hasn’t been perfect and yes there is so much more to do,” said the newly elected Dublin North West TD. The nomination was seconded by Dublin South Central TD Catherine Byrne, who said Mr Kenny was a man of “integrity, honour, and vision.”
Mr Kenny received 57 votes for Taoiseach and 94 against.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was nominated for the role by TD Lisa Chambers, who said that he had tried, in opposition, to highlight negative changes that had affected communities.
“People want an Ireland for all and not just for a few,” said the Mayo TD, whose nomination of Mr Martin was seconded by Meath East TD Thomas Byrne. Mr Martin received 43 votes for and 108 against.
Gerry Adams, proposed for taoiseach by his party Sinn Féin, received 24 votes for and 116 against.
The AAA/PBP movement proposed Dún Laoghaire TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who received nine votes for taoiseach and 111 against.
Mr Kenny, after losing the vote, said he would give his resignation to President Michael D Higgins but that he would continue to try and form a government.
Despite having already held a week of talks with smaller parties and Independents, Mr Kenny said he would now “intensify efforts” to form a “lasting and durable” government.
There were options open to his party, he said, and Fine Gael would now have to examine “all” of those to form a government.
His comments came following widespread suggestions in the chamber from Labour, Sinn Féin and the Greens among others that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil should end their differences and do a deal.
Mr Kenny, responding to calls for Dáil reform, also said there would be changes to how business was done in future in the parliament. The next cabinet would also make more informed decisions in future, he pledged.
Mr Kenny also signalled that talks on forming a government were a priority because of other issues coming down the line, including the need for a spring spending statement from a new government as well as Britain’s pending vote on staying in the EU in June.
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