Micheál Martin refuses to rule out Sinn Féin coalition

Micheál Martin contended that it is still possible for the current coalition to be re-elected, saying that it “cannot be ruled out”.

Tanaiste and leader of Fianna Fail Micheál Martin at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin. Picture: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has refused to say whether or not Fianna Fáil would consider going into coalition with Sinn Féin after the next election.

Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis this afternoon, Mr Martin said that the situation ahead of the next election was still “dynamic” and the field remained “open”.

The Tánaiste contended that it is still possible for the current coalition to be re-elected, saying that it “cannot be ruled out”.

“Our sense is to go into government with like-minded parties whose policy platform reflects the Fianna Fáil policy platform,” Mr Martin said, citing the party’s priority around housing.

“It’s policy, policy for me and we don’t align with Sinn Féin on many policies, from the European Union, right across to the economy, enterprise, etc. There’s enough parties there, the electoral situation is wide open.” 

Mr Martin was critical of analysis surrounding the upcoming election, citing the percentage difference in opinion polls.

“If you look at the last three general elections, if I’m not mistaken, the opinion polls a year out were about 10% out in respect of parties that were potentially going to perform,” Mr Martin told reporters.

“We’ve seen that with the Labour Party on one occasion, if you remember, in the low 30s. That didn’t materialize.

“I think that’s an important point just to weigh up, it’s wide open,” he said, adding that he wanted the Government to go the full term into 2025.

Mr Martin said that questions of whether or not Fianna Fáil would go into Government with Sinn Féin were based on a “false premise”, criticising media for being “captivated” by opinion polls and not on policy.

“The debate around elections is always on: who’s up, who’s down, who are you going in with, how many seats do you think you’ll win and not on the substance of policy. I think that’s a problem,” Mr Martin said.