Fianna Fáil TDs open to deal with Fine Gael despite Martin denials

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has again tried to shut the door on the possibility of entering coalition with Fine Gael, despite several of his TDs saying they would consider such a deal if the party is the stronger one after the election.

Niall Collins yesterday said he would consider agreeing to Fine Gael “propping up” a Fianna Fáil government, something he did “not have a problem with”. Other party TDs said they would also consider this, if the numbers favoured Fianna Fáil.

But in an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Martin ruled out working with Fine Gael: “As a majority party in government, we would want to work with like-minded people. Others in particular, such as the Social Democrats, would share our principles. Fine Gael are not in that category as far as I’m concerned.”