Micheál Martin won’t rule out Fine Gael deal

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has repeatedly refused to rule out a post- general election deal with Fine Gael, amid mounting fears of a hung Dáil.

Mr Martin has softened his stance in recent days from completely ruling out such a scenario to one where he said he will not engage in “speculative discussions about hypotheticals”.

The refusal of Mr Martin to definitively rule out some form of arrangement with Fine Gael comes as the first televised leaders’ debate of the campaign took place last night on TV3.