Social Democrats now unlikely to enter coalition with main parties but 'not closing the door fully'

Deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said after meeting on Tuesday afternoon there were 'significant policy gaps' between his party and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan said entering opposition was the party's 'most likely scenario'. Picture: Gareth Chaney

The Social Democrats looks set to end government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, as deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan admits entering opposition was its “most likely scenario”.

After meeting on Tuesday afternoon about the formation of the next government, the Social Democrats said it was unlikely to enter a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Mr O’Callaghan said there were “significant policy gaps” between those parties and his. 

The Dublin Bay North TD said: “At this point, it looks like a Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Independent government.

We don’t see at present a meeting of minds on the key issues we’ve outlined.

Mr O’Callaghan said his party had sought to significantly overhaul government policy, while it appeared both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael instead preferred to tinker around the edges and would retain many of the policies of the outgoing coalition.

“It appears to be the case of the government parties taking a business-as-usual approach,” he added.

The party set out five red lines during the election campaign that were deal-breakers for the Social Democrats entering government.

These included a senior minister for disability, 50,000 affordable homes, fully implementing the Sláintecare plan, action on climate and a public childcare model.

While the talks between the Social Democrats and two bigger parties appear to have ended, the party is keeping the door open for future engagement.

“The Social Democrats remain open to further engagement — but, as we have consistently maintained, that engagement must be predicated on our deal-breakers,” a party spokesperson said.

A party source said this was being done as part of efforts to remain open to government formation should talks between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independents collapse.

“If talks break down, the Social Democrats are open. We’re not closing the door fully, the door is still slightly ajar,” the source said.

“The ball is very much in their [Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael] court now.”

The party has taken a different approach to that of Labour, which formally ended engagement with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in December over policy differences.

One Social Democrat TD said: “Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael don’t want to go into government with the Social Democrats.” 

They added the two have been briefing that the party is not ready for government.