Fianna Fáil: Irish Water not the only roadblock to a deal in talks

Fianna Fáil’s negotiating team last night insisted the latest talks stand-off is not just about Irish Water, and that “considerable roadblocks” also exist in housing, education, and rural affairs policies.

While there are some differences, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s election manifestos are broadly in line with each other on key policy areas, leading to suggestions they have been flagged simply to give the impression water is not the only obstacle to a deal.

On housing, Fine Gael is in favour of building 110,000 social houses by 2021, rent reforms, new tenant purchase schemes, standard variable mortgage rate reforms, and tax relief for landlords to help lower costs.

Fianna Fáil has prioritised new builds, rent and standard variable mortgage rate reforms, and more bank competition to help cut costs.

In education, Fine Gael has put forward a “four-point plan” focused on investment, local decision making, increased diversity in available schools, and expanding higher-education programmes.

These broad brushstrokes involve issues such as reducing the pupil-teacher ratio, building more schools, university and college investment, and providing further supports for children with special needs — issues Fianna Fáil has also prioritised.

In recent weeks both parties stressed they want to prioritise rural affairs and have given commitments to Independent TDs to ensure a ministerial role will be created to oversee the changes.

Fine Gael’s manifesto has prioritised issues such as regional jobs growth, Leader programme reforms, village renewal schemes, transport, and improved broadband.

Fianna Fáil’s manifesto outlines the same priorities.