The post-election courtship of non-party deputies and smaller parties by the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has been described as a "side show" by Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
The Kerry TD met Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin yesterday, having held talks with the Taoiseach late last week, and said he believed the only "show in town" was a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael alliance.
He was one of a number of Independents and smaller party representatives to hold talks with Mr Kenny and Mr Martin yesterday. Another who met both was Dublin South-West TD Katherine Zappone. The Independent Alliance met Mr Kenny yesterday, as did the Social Democrats, who are set to engage with Mr Martin today.
Mr Kenny also had talks with Independent TD Noel Grealish, and it is understood he told the Galway deputy he felt a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition is likely.
Mr Healy Rae described the process as a “side show” as the sums did not work out any way other than the two parties coming to an arrangement.
Grand finale
“This is all a build-up to the grand finale and the grand finale is when Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin sit down and talk to each other. I don’t see any other show in town, I really don’t,” he said. “As far as I can see, this is all in slow motion.”
He also said both leaders were open to the idea of a senior minister with responsibility for rural affairs, as advocated for by Mr Healy-Rae and his brother Danny, also a Kerry TD.
Ms Zappone said she had been given the impression during her meetings with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that they wanted to see a referendum on the Eighth Amendment, which gives equal right to life to the mother and the unborn child.
She said Mr Kenny indicated it should be dealt with, but mentioned Fine Gael’s position that a citizens’ assembly must be consulted first.
Mr Kenny repeated his position to Ms Zappone that consideration must be given to what replaces the amendment. In her meeting with Mr Martin, Ms Zappone said one of the Fianna Fáil negotiating team indicated it should be dealt with and cited a general election exit poll that showed many voters felt the same.
Mr Kenny discussed Dáil reform with the Social Democrats and is to bring his political reform proposals before the Fine Gael parliamentary party this afternoon. He will seek the support of his TDs and Senators for the moves, which include a loosening of the whip system, although not on budgetary issues.
Independent Alliance
The Independent Alliance discussed rural crime, appointments to State boards, flooding, disability issues and helping small businesses with Mr Kenny yesterday.
Sources, however, felt it is unlikely a deal will be done between Fine Gael and the group of deputies – which includes Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, John Halligan, Michael Fitzmaurice and Seán Canney.
The Social Democrats have told Mr Kenny they want to see a cross-party forum on political reform agreed before the Dáil holds its vote on who will be taoiseach tomorrow. The party also met other groupings, such as the Green Party and the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit, as well as other Independents.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition was the most obvious possible government.
