Micheál Martin warns rural TDs against backing Fine Gael

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin attempted to rescue his party’s bid for power last night by meeting directly with Independent rural TDs who had a day earlier appeared to back Fine Gael — warning them not to join forces with Enda Kenny’s party.

Mr Martin was directly involved in talks with the five-strong group of Denis Naughten, Michael Collins, Michael Harty, Noel Grealish and Mattie McGrath as he tried to regain the front foot in the race for power.

It is understood that after a statement on behalf of the group by ex-Fine Gael TD Mr Naughten on Tuesday appeared to confirm the rural TDs were leaning towards backing Fine Gael, causing frustration within the loose alliance, Mr Martin contacted former Progressive Democrat TD Mr Grealish and former Fianna Fáil TD Mr McGrath early yesterday morning.

During the conversations the Fianna Fáil leader, who is believed to have later been contacted by Mr Naughten, voiced his surprise and disappointment at the development.

He and other Fianna Fáil figures are also believed to have warned the Independents they risk “putting the cart before the horse” if they back Fine Gael before reforms and key policies are in place. They said such a scenario could cause a second election as Fianna Fáil has no intention of supporting Fine Gael in opposition.

The five rural TDs subsequently met Mr Martin and three of Fianna Fáil’s four-person negotiating team — Barry Cowen, Charlie McConalogue and Jim O’Callaghan — at 6pm in an attempt to win back support.

The party had given the rural TDs its policy document on rural affairs last week and senior TDs were expecting a detailed response to the plans.

However, it is understood the rural politicians instead focussed debate on whether Fianna Fáil can still form a government. A senior Fianna Fáil TD last night said the party was “disappointed to learn of the [Tuesday] statement” from the rural TDs which appeared to back Fine Gael, and was “surprised” they had “put their eggs into one basket”.

He added Fine Gael is “wrong to assume we will prop them up, we won’t be their comfort blanket in opposition”.

Fianna Fáil is due to meet the six-strong Independent Alliance in the coming days to discuss potential policies on health and housing, with a senior TD saying last night if its “preference” to lead a minority government does not take place the nation would face “a new situation and the risk of a second election”.

However, questions remain from Independents they are speaking to over whether the party can realistically form a government

. And despite rural group member and Cork South West TD Michael Collins telling the Irish Examiner last night the alliance is not at risk of splitting over Mr Naughten’s statement on Tuesday appearing to back Fine Gael, it is understood there is internal upset.

Group member and ex-Fianna Fáil Mattie McGrath has now been appointed to speak with Fianna Fáil after what he described as a “misunderstanding in Fianna Fáil HQ”.