Fianna Fail TDs worry over talk of Fine Gael coalition

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin’s refusal to rule out entering power with rivals Fine Gael has surprised some TDs, with one deputy declaring such a route would be “bad” for the party’s future.

Several Fianna Fáil TDs said the issue of a potential grand coalition between both parties had yet be discussed and would in any case need the imprimatur of a national conference.

Their reaction comes after an interview with Mr Martin in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, in which he said he has not ruled “anything in or out” after the next general election, a significant shift in the Fianna Fáil leader’s position since last year. Ahead of the 2016 election, Mr Martin ruled out Fianna Fáil entering power with Fine Gael-despite the offer of a rotating Taoiseach position for him.