Politics

Labour decides not to re-enter government with Fine Gael

Party’s seven TDs to stick by original post-election decision to go into opposition

Tánaiste Joan Burton’s leadership of the Labour Party was not discussed at the meeting. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Tánaiste Joan Burton’s leadership of the Labour Party was not discussed at the meeting. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Stephen Collins
Wed Apr 20 2016 - 13:52

The Labour Party has decided not to go back into government despite a request from Fine Gael to do so.

At a meeting of the parliamentary party in Leinster House on Wednesday, the party’s seven TDs decided to stick by their original post-election decision to go into opposition.

The party will decide next week whether to abstain again on the next vote for taoiseach.

Tánaiste Joan Burton’s leadership of the Labour Party was not discussed at the meeting.

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins is a columnist with and former political editor of The Irish Times