Enda Kenny set to defer taoiseach vote amid TDs’ fury

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny looks set to defer the vote for taoiseach in the Dáil which was due to take place next Wednesday, it has emerged.

A deeply frustrating day of talks yesterday ended with Independent TDs “furious” at Mr Kenny’s refusal to speak to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin until their talks conclude.

In a bid to quell mounting pressure by members of the Independents, Mr Kenny finally told them he would speak to Fianna Fáil, but last night said that would only happen once he had an agreement from the Independents.

But Mr Kenny’s stalling in terms of contacting Mr Martin sparked outrage among the Independents.

“It is absolutely soul destroying the two boys haven’t sat down. Both are playing party politics, It is disgusting what is going on. Fianna Fáil talking of forming a minority government. They don’t have the numbers, it is a joke,” said one TD.

Mr Kenny had indicated he would put forward proposals to Fianna Fáil by the weekend, but he clarified his position last night saying that will happen only after he has an agreement from the Independents.

Mr Kenny and his team of acting ministers are reluctant to hold a vote without being assured of victory and given there is no specific deadline on them, they are now leaning towards deferring it.

One party source, speaking to the Irish Examiner, said Fine Gael was always of the mind to defer the vote should they not have the numbers to win it.

“Why run a vote when there is no agreement. There is a very good chance of it being delayed,” said one party figure.

Officially, a Fine Gael spokesperson last night said: “The Taoiseach has given no timing on when contact will be made and has consistently said he wants to be in a position to go to opposition parties, including Fianna Fáil, as a collective with an agreed programme of priorities to establish what support is forthcoming at that stage.”

As a sign of the eagerness of Fine Gael to do a deal, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney last night travelled to Waterford to meet Independent TD John Halligan and his team to attempt to court his support.

But Mr Kenny’s own position was raised yesterday and remains one of deep concern for the Independents.

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath said Mr Kenny is now “the elephant in the room”, adding that many deputies were coming under fire from their constituents for going into talks with a taoiseach who they voted against.

During the talks yesterday, Mr Kenny was also involved in an extended and intense conversation with Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae after he clashed with Leo Varadkar.

The Kerry TD and a number of his team spoke with Mr Kenny on the fringes of the main round-table negations yesterday for around 45 minutes after Mr Healy-Rae locked horns with Mr Varadkar over his “blasé attitude” to talks.

A number of other Independent TDs yesterday voiced their frustration with the acting health minister who they claimed continued to remain “disinterested” in the talks despite his confrontation with Mr Healy-Rae.

For its part, Fianna Fáil will hold round table talks with 15 Independents on Monday and Tuesday.

However, despite Fianna Fáil figures voicing optimism as both the rural TDs and the Healy-Raes agreed to the meeting “there and then”, one Independent TD said last night party leader Mr Martin will struggle to get 11 people to turn up, describing the talks to date as “a bottle of smoke”.

Meanwhile, Labour figures have backed acting minister Brendan Howlin to take over the leadership as recriminations break out over the mismanagement of the party’s election campaign.