Leo Varadkar: Coalition pact is an issue for the party, not just the leader

Future coalition pacts for Fine Gael must be decided by the wider party and not just the leader, Leo Varadkar has said, as he insisted there was a “red line” about entering government with Sinn Féin.

The social protection minister’s emphatic rejection comes as Taoiseach Enda Kenny tried to shut down the controversy this weekend, after earlier refusing to rule out Fine Gael going into coalition with Sinn Féin.

Mr Kenny told reporters last week that politicians had to “work with results” and Sinn Féin now seemed “converted to a position of changing their stance [about being in government]”. His refusal to rule out entering power with Sinn Féin angered Fine Gael TDs, ministers and ordinary members.