Government talks: Gerry Adams slams ‘charade’ but Sinn Féin fails to back a candidate

Gerry Adams has criticised the fact that ministers rejected by voters are still implementing policies; and “well-paid” TDs are only in the Dáil for a few hours for the “charade” to elect a taoiseach.

The Sinn Féin leader said serious issues such as child poverty and homelessness need to be addressed, instead of just inconclusive votes for a taoiseach. However, his criticism came as Sinn Féin again failed to nominate or support a candidate for taoiseach — the primary role of TDs since the general election seven weeks ago.

“Public patience is wearing very thin with both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. They need to get real and come up with an agreement for a government soon. I don’t believe these have been serious negotiations. No one ever really believed that Fianna Fáil could win support for a Fianna Fáil-led minority government. It’s all been part of the charade and the two large conservative parties trying to outmanoeuvre one another.”