Enda Kenny ‘looking beyond’ FF in a bid to retain power

Caretaker Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fine Gael are to “look beyond” Fianna Fáil in a bid to form a government, after their hopes of a grand coalition were dashed.

In a desperate bid to a cling to power, Mr Kenny announced yesterday he is curtailing his US trip for the St Patrick’s Day festivities.

Fine Gael also announced its programme for Dáil reform, a move seen as an attempt to shore up support of Independents and smaller parties. “We don’t want to lose power, many of our guys remember the 14 long years in opposition,” said one Fine Gael figure.

Given Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s robust refusal to consider a deal with Fine Gael, Mr Kenny is now aiming to “redouble” his efforts in attempting to form an alliance with smaller parties and independents.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin

Fine Gael ministers Simon Coveney, Leo Varadkar, Frances Fitzgerald, and Simon Harris are expected to lead the contacts with the parties in the coming days, with a view to getting as many on board by April 6, when the next vote for taoiseach is likely to take place.

Fine Gael sources have said they are willing either to consider a minority government or some form of inter-party government, with one source highlighting the role of the Labour Party as possible king makers.

“There is a possible combination that could work should Labour decide to abstain from key votes and permit the Government continue. It is not ideal but it could work.”

Some Fianna Fáil sources have said they are open to supporting a minority government in a situation were “votes can be lost except on a budget or vote of confidence before a government could fall”. One minister described it as “a minority plus government”.

Leo Varadkar

Ten Fianna Fáil TDs have broken ranks with party hierarchy to say a grand coalition with Fine Gael or a separate plan to back a Fine Gael-led minority government cannot be ruled out.

However, the majority of more than 20 of the party’s 44 TDs who responded to Irish Examiner phone calls remain completely opposed to any deal with their rivals, insisting the option of a Fianna Fáil-led minority government excluding Fine Gael is the only way to prevent a second election.