Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo. Shane Ross. Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Shane Ross is going to write a book on the 'behind the scenes' of the last government

Speaking to Pat Kenny, Ross said he expects a government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens.

FORMER DUBLIN RATHDOWN TD Shane Ross has said he’s going to write a book about the last government and what happened behind the scenes from his vantage point as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk this morning, Ross said what he writes will be “very outspoken”. 

The former Independent Alliance TD lost his seat in this month’s general election after nine years in the Dáil.

Since 2016, he had served as minister as part of the Independent Alliance’s support of Fine Gael in power. 

Ross told Kenny he expects Fianna Fáil to be in with Fine Gael when the next government is formed and “they’ll both say they’re doing it incredibly reluctantly”. 

He referenced how Fine Gael has been saying it’ll only go into government as a “last resort”, and said: “People don’t say what they mean in these situations.”

“Leo Varadkar has said as a last resort,” he said. “It’s looking to me the only real option at the moment.”

Ross said that he expects those two parties to be in government with the Green Party and potentially some independents when the dust settles. 

“They might think it sensible to bring in a few independents to make it more comfortable,” he said.

Ross was also asked about the government’s intervention into the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and his role in it as minister.

The bailout for the FAI involved €7.5 million in interest-free loans, and the restoration and doubling of State funding for the troubled organisation.

“The FAI was a hornet’s nest and it came up to bite us very quickly,” he said, adding that he was happy with the new board in place and that he believes Irish football will prosper as a result.

On regrets he had from his time in office, Ross said he was sorry he had called Enda Kenny a “political corpse” prior to the formation of the government in 2016.

“I like Enda, [although] we had lots of disagreements, he said. “I never wanted to hurt him personally.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
84 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds