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GOVERNMENT FORMATION DISCUSSIONS should pick up pace from next week as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have finally conceded that they have to get into a room together for talks.
Since the general election result, government formation plans have been moving at a glacial pace.
There has been talk about talks, with phrases like “preliminary talks” and “exploratory talks” being bandied around in the last couple of days.
Sinn Féin has been leading the march, sitting down with many of the smaller parties and Independents in the last week to sound out the possibilities of a left-led government.
The party also held meetings with the top civil servants on how to turn its election promises into programme for government realities.
There are 87 TDs who are not members of Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil and of these, 37 are Sinn Féin members.
This means that Sinn Féin has the enormous task of convincing 50 other TDs to sign up to government formation with them – or at least, agree to abstain in major votes in a confidence and supply arrangement.
With Labour ruled out after stating that its six members did not get a mandate to enter government, it means if every single other TD, aside from FF and FG members, signed up with Sinn Féin, the party would exceed the magic number with 81 seats.
Despite what many would say is an impossible task, talks continue into their third week.
So who is talking to who?
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have both ruled out talking to Sinn Féin. There has been no movement there.
However, Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin did speak by phone after both leaders lost the vote to become the next Taoiseach on Thursday.
They agreed to meet early next week – though the location of where the chat will take place has not been disclosed.
A lot will hinge on this meeting.
Varadkar said in Brussels that his party is preparing to go into opposition, but that next week’s meeting will allow both leaders to discuss “ways forward”.
The leaders have been tight-lipped about what will be on the agenda, but the potential of a so-called grand coalition involving their parties and the possibility of a rotating taoiseach will most likely be up for discussion.
(Remember, these were two issues also discussed back in 2016 when it took 70 days to form a government).
After the meeting, Varadkar said he will brief the Fine Gael parliamentary party, probably on Wednesday or Thursday. He has yet to appoint his party’s negotiating team, though senior party figures are likely to feature on the team. Names in the mix include Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee.
The party’s last parliamentary meeting lasted over five hours, so its next meeting might also be a long one, as TDs set out why Fine Gael should or should not enter into a coalition with Fianna Fáil or why another confidence and supply might be a bad move for both parties.
While the spotlight will be on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael from early next week, Sinn Féin will continue its discussions with the Green Party, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, Solidarity-People Before Profit, Independents4Change and a range of other Independents.
Speaking yesterday, Mary Lou McDonald said: “Despite the rejection of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s record over the past four years, they are now looking for a carve-up of political power that is about keeping them in office and blocking change.”
“Any such proposal flies in the face of what people voted for and does not represent change,” she said.
Next week’s discussions for Sinn Féin will focus on issues such as building homes, cutting rents and freezing them, guaranteeing the pension age at sixty-five, health and the trolley crisis, climate change and Irish Unity.
The Social Democrats are due to meet both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael next week.
A meeting between the Green Party and the Social Democrats is due to last a day and a half, with the location mooted to be in Dublin Castle.
The Green Party – who could perhaps be the kingmakers in these negotiations – also has a busy week ahead. Plans are afoot for the party to meet with Sinn Féin on Monday or Tuesday.
Eamon Ryan will meet with Fianna Fáil on Wednesday or Thursday. A meeting with Fine Gael will follow.
In terms of Independent TDs, many are going solo with their talks with parties.
While a regional technical parliamentary grouping was established, consisting of Cathal Berry, Sean Canney, Peter Fitzpatrick, Noel Grealish, Michael Lowry, Verona Murphy, Denis Naughten, Matt Shanahan and Peadar Toibin, its members state that it was only set up to establish speaking rights in the Dáil.
It is not a grouping entering into talks together, said one TD, who said there were some members in the group that he could not sit around a table with for talks, They added that they had been engaging with a number of parties in recent days.
How do they see it ending up? “Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Greens, the Social Democrats and a couple of Independents to give it a whiff of a national parliament,” they said.
Just two weeks out from the election, and it’s still all to play for.
Watched a bit of it on TV. Fantastic speech and a well earned standing ovation by the English Parliament
British Parliament. But yes well done.
If you ever questioned the vote of Michael D then just try imagine Sean Gallagher or Gay Mitchell making that speech today…..
Proud to be Irish and to have such a great scholar and true Irish patriot as our President.
27 August 1979
Lord Mountbatten’s legs were almost blown off
aged 79
he was pulled alive from the water
but died from his injuries before being brought to the shore
also murdered that day..
his daughter’s 14-year-old son
a 15-year-old from County Fermanagh
and a 83-year-old woman
Gerry Adams said of Mountbatten’s death:
” i think it is unfortunate that anyone has to be killed
” with his war record i don’t think he could have objected to dying
in what was clearly a war situation ”
” the IRA achieved its objective ”
That Bloody pompous accent
What is this going to or supposed to achieve? Its all waffle anyway.
Vin, grow up nit wit
Brace yourself ,Nicole , Vin is about !
@ whynotme
after the break …
we’ll take a look at tomorrows news papers
remember pat kenny abused his position
so Gay Mitchell asked
what did dennis o’brien have to do with the presidential election ?
then by coincidence
out of all the audience members
the microphone just happened to be put in front of a man who defended pat Kenny
what are the odds ?
Ah a troll is Vin no doubt
Vin ,my pet ,I just love your posts ,always have ;)
You’re like a contestant on Stars In Their Eyes ..! Matthew , tonight ,I’m going to be ;)
as much as i admire him
what’s the point of Michael D extending the hand of freedom to the queen if …
we are in debt (a debt we are not responsible for)
and our young people are still leaving (some forever)
friendship *
extending the hand of friendship
Nicholas Knatchbull and Paul Maxwell never grew up
RIP
I was about to say the exact same word for word. And I will also admit I was close to taking a cheap shot at Mr Higgins this morning and joining in the sniping comments on another page but am glad now I didn’t. Well done Mr President.
Well said Mr President.
Thata boy little Mickey D with the big belly
Very proud of our president
No problem with the speeches content, it’s just he sounded more British than Irish in delivering it.
What do mean ” sounded more British than Irish”?? Should he have delivered the speech in an Irish brogue to be sure to be sure?
Why? Should have bigged up the Whest of Ireland brogue there lad?
@Declan He is a linguist – his Irish is perfect in the Irish accent and his English perfect in a neutral accent… it was not English it was perfect pronunciation – dat is that..
No need for the fake posh twang then. Be proud of your roots, it all sounded as though he wanted to belong to the ‘inner circle’ of those elite who were present. A president whose accent is not of his native tongue is not a man of the common people, only the la de da’s!
What do you want him to do turn up in a tracksuit and belt out the speech in a common limerick accent cop on you nit wit. He’s the president of Ireland
Exactly all was good except for the fake accent messing
Declan, lay off the sauce. It’s too early. Michael D’s always spoken with that sing song lilt.
Just imagine had we voted in the other fella
@Shay – not a track suit you dope! It is Windsor Castle. Remember pea brain, it’s not the quality of the suit the man is wearing, but the quality of the man within the suit.
I had to search in the Guardian to see if they covered the story at all. They did, just about. Same for most of the rest of the UK press. It barely made the cut all said.
“Ohh, well done Mr President”
Now get home fast!
You have to sign another Pro-MISERY note “deal” that foists criminal banker’s gambling debts onto the shoulders of generations of your people.
Europuppet.
Bankerpuppet.
@Fergal. Point taken. I had one glass of red wine last night at home. I was in London on business last week and the sauce was free and plenty. I had a few & went back to the hotel due to am morning flight. My accent helped me win big contracts whilst there since it’s very natural and friendly. People buy into genuine people. Point taken though with the Presidents unique accent.
You are beyond stupidity.
@Declan Whist, will ya?
@ lex
Not that I think they are the pinnacle of good journalism but it’s a top story on sky news and it’s in the daily mail too.
@ lex
Not that I think they are the pinnacle of good journalism or anything but it’s a top story on sky news and it’s in the daily mail too. Also it’s the top two stories on BBC UK news. I’d say that counts as making the news!
@Celticspirit Show some positive spirit for your fellow man! lol
I’d say your the little Micky. Ass
the woman with glasses sitting next to Eamon Gilmore
i though she was sinn fein (for obvious reasons)
ha ha ha
the UK gave us 7 billion October 2010
please don’t forget that
Nope, they loaned us money.
Gatheringnutcase…. Your a sad case. Maybe you didn’t take the tabs?
Vin are you usually let out do late?
Your seafóid!
The LOANED us 7 million – with interest
and we paid back every cent /penny
obviously
so
so late
How can you be proud of a man who flew in during the night and signed a bill that indebted our grand children for debts they don’t owe without even reading it?? Our government are traitors and our president is helping them. Are all you sheep sound asleep??
oh no
didn’t you see the pretty tuxedos and glasses
the LLLLooonnnngggggggggggg Windsor table
Do you mean the bailout? He voted against that.
Great speech that pulled no punches with regards to references of the struggles between the two countries…loved his historical perspective and his very clever introduction by mentioning the Magna Cart a and the rights it enshrined for all individuals. Very proud of this man representing us.
Most excellent speech. Cap doffed to the speech writer, I suspect it was President Higgins himself.
Also, the speech by John Bercoe the UK Speaker of the house is worthy of men
Phone slipped. Commented before finishing.
The speech by John Bercoe the UK Speaker of Parliament is also worthy of mention. Some people did their homework and did it very well.
Bercow did a very nice intro alright.
Right man at the right time, you have to be proud of him.
I live in Windsor and saw the procession. It was great to see the lines of Irish and English alike, waving both flags. Exciting to see and a brilliant event
One Man ……. One Hero ….. One Michael D Higgins
Proud of you Michael D
the last time i was proud to be irish
the olympics Katie Taylor
The last time I was proud to be Irish
Louis Walsh meeting the Queen
I remember Bertie addressing a joint meeting of the house and senate in Washington where they had to drag low ranking officials and aids in to swell the numbers.
Here, however, án Úachtarán na hÉireann gets a full house of the government and opposition from party leaders down. Which I feel shows great respect (which is well deserved) and commitment to the ongoing relationship between our two countries.
Nice one Mr Higgins.
Wouldn’t make my pet dog endure listening to that stuttering waffler of wafflers and liar.
Bertie Ahern that is of course not our eloquent if slightly vertically challenged President. I hope the office grows in prominence and we in future continue to have worthy candidates. However I don’t believe we should allow the office to be demeaned by enabling any tom dick and harry candidate to run, it should be restricted to citizens that clearly have a strong legacy of having had the utmost respect of the people of Ireland such as the current president.
What a great speech!
Right President for the job!
My god you can’t but help feel a sense of pride what a great president a great speech unfortunately there will still be some arseholes who have to write negative or non witty comments if you feel the necessity or compulsion to do so piss off to another country preferably.
and by negative you mean telling the truth about the past
the past that we are all smiling and acting like never happened right now
Well said Tom.
Vin, either you’re an uneducated extremist who lives in the past, or a troll deliberately being antagonistic for your own pleasure. Either way, given your comments I would advise you take Tom’s advice and leave the majority of us alone to get on with life and the future.
“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or… learn from it.”
well said
Well said Bernard
Beautifully done, very proud of our Michael D
Excellent speech given by president Higgins, one can only have immense pride of our shared history and a friendship between these two islands!! Looking forward to his speech this evening and the Queens speech also!!
Wonderful speech – did us proud.
Great to have an intelligent, articulate, proponent for Ireland and someone obviously aware of the historical difficulties which he handles with aplomb.
reasons i am proud of Might kill
i mean Michael D Higgins
he told the truth about dennis O’Brien during the presidential debate
he never lobbied for garda murderers to be released (sinn fein)
he never wrote a letter seeking clemency for a sex offender (david Norris)
he can walk down the street without being asked ‘who murdered my father’ ‘who murdered my mother’ etc
I’m looking forward to the first Sinn Fein president of Ireland. Adams or McGuinness will do us proud. Would be even better if we have a united Ireland with a socialist government in place at the time. Michael D is brilliant for our country.
Adams will do us proud ??
he stayed silent for 7 years while his brother abused kids
A Vin. That’s a lie. You couldn’t lie straight in bed. Gerry will do us proud. A true statesman. I bet you supported the blue shirts. Vin’s a little fascist haha
Fair play to him. Had to laugh when he kept sitting and standing at the end.
That was a great speech. Well done Michael D
Great speech and delighted that he was the man to deliver it. My congrats too to their speaker of the house, it came across on the radio as very heartfelt.
I also loved the way President Higgins commented on the artwork that was hanging in the chamber, painted by an Irishman. Only a small point but a nice touch.
Great day.
Pity about the affected West Brit accent. Why can’t he use his Clare accent and stop the pomposity!
Very impressed of how Mr Higgins conducted himself. He did us proud. He even bowed his head to he Queen and Prince Phillip and showed respect. It’s clear from the television coverage how the British have taken a shine to him especially with how well spoken he was. Well done our president!
History in the making and proud to be Irish.
Well done Michael D, your delivery of a great speech (compliments to the creator) has helped relations.
He is a good man, I’m glad he is our president. He done us proud.
Brilliant, fantastic, amazing..
Proud to be irish.. There’s too much hatred in the world, Ireland and Britain as an alliance has a better chance than us being at logger heads.. Grow up, forgive and move on..
@ Elaine Donegan
i am afraid we are very selective about what
we acknowledge
and when we acknowledge it
northern ireland was murder (on both sides)
but that was decades ago
whereas obama murders people with drone strikes /foreign policy as we speak
now
the queens visit caused ”controversy”
but we bend over backwards welcoming war criminal obama ??????
Ireland has been blessed with fine Presidents over the years, and President Higgins continues that trend and has done us proud today.
Top quality job, Michael D, on his historic trip to UK.
The ‘hobbit’ goes to the castle.. coming soon to TV in your home
And about 17 sequels after that
Michael D always reminded me of yoda
meet the queen i might
shake hands we will
the desolation of smug
Your prob an ugly fat old fart and you come in here to throw insults at our president. Are you FF?
Nicole McCormack
are you a ventriloquist ?
Old fart
Did they give him a box to stand on or did he bring his own
“A closeness and warmth that once seemed unachieveble” it is the pampers Michael
First the Queen of England goes to Ireland the first monarch since 1911 and now the president of Ireland comes to London. It just show you that world has changed so much in the past years. I understand that so many people in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, have lost people they love and knew during the troubles. But at least the two governments are trying to make amends, and I hope in the future the family’s who have suffered will in time forgive
Is there a video anywhere of his speech? Can’t seem to find it on youtube.
Full Speech on Rte player Sean… http://www.rte.ie/generic/html5fallback/iframe.html?clipid=20558951&thumbnail=0008c3f6
Cheers pal.
Try BBC Westminster channel
Maybe the sawdoctors can re release an updated version of michael d..though “weve got michael d rockin in westminster” doesent have quite the same ring to it ..only joking..well done to our president..great speech..well written..well delivered!
Of course it is they own us after that nice little bail out a while back
FergusOB, its the Germans who own this country now thanks to talentless gobsh1tes like Ahearn,Brian Clown and the dreadful Kenny.
Why does our president look like that doll in those crappy Saw movies?
sinlacasa
would you prefer a president whose past was as blood stained as those crappy Saw movies?
Great speech we were
Only short of winning 1966 for them
Fantastic role played by our president and his wife. Wonderful day with pomp and ceremony. It’s good to see even if lizzy is an blue nose puppet for the US. Well done Michael D. You doing us proud
You are a sad ol’ gee-bag Nicole.
We pity you.
A Jeremy your words are so elegant. You cannot dispute a single word I say so you turn to personal insults. Our president did us proud and you dislike him due to the fact he beat your blue shirt Mitchel. Get over it
Nicole McCormack is an enormously talented ventriloquist
i saw her show last year
and her dummy ?
OMG
hilarious
Vin the old ugly fart. A nobody that loves to insult.
Obama 300k Tubridy 490k Vincent Browne not ok ;)
Téann meas ollmhór do Michael D Higgins
I seen something like this on the TV, in Drumshambo!
Photo caption: “Secretary of State William Hague”
No such office exists in Britain. Hague is Foreign Secretary.
William Hague is both the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs so Secretary of State is an appropriate abbreviation in his case.
She isn’t the Queen of England. There hasn’t been a King and Queen of England since the United Kingdom was created.
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