Micheál Martin in last-ditch move to win support of Independents

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has told Independent TDs the time has come for them to declare their support for either him or Enda Kenny as taoiseach.

Mr Martin has told the 15 Independent TDs involved in discussions that today is their last chance to vote for him as taoiseach.

If Enda Kenny still has a significant lead over Mr Martin following today’s Dáil vote for taoiseach, Fianna Fáil is expected to allow Mr Kenny form a minority government.

Mr Martin was continuing last night to canvass support among Independents for his candidacy for Taoiseach.

The six members of the Independent Alliance and the five members of the rural alliance look set to abstain or vote against both candidates.

The Independent Alliance will meet this morning. Waterford TD John Halligan has opted out of the discussions with either party.

The five rural TDs of Denis Naughten, Mattie McGrath, Michael Harty, Michael Collins and Noel Grealish will also meet to discuss what they should do.

However, it is expected they will now vote against both candidates.

Closing the gap

Such a scenario would not allow Mr Martin to close the gap on Mr Kenny. Fianna Fáil has 43 votes while Mr Kenny has 50

Fine Gael

seats and the backing of Independent TD Michael Lowry.

A Fianna Fáil source said Mr Martin would give up on pursuing a Fianna Fáil minority government if he does not secure an additional seven or eight TDs in the vote today.

“It would require a significant number of Independents to vote for Micheál Martin as taoiseach. One or two will not be enough,” the source said.

“If they want to support a Fine Gael minority government that is their choice but we need to know.”

The two parties only met for an hour yesterday to discuss the mechanics of a minority government with a meeting scheduled for 8pm last night to exchange policy papers.

However, it was cancelled at the last minute by Fianna Fáil in a move described as frustrating and disappointing by Fine Gael.

No further meetings have been planned but it is anticipated contact will be made between the two parties later today. It is understood talks will reconvene after today’s vote.

Mr Kenny had been hopeful the vote on taoiseach could be deferred if significant process was made but he needed the support of Fianna Fáil and this was not forthcoming.

Water compromise

The Fine Gael parliamentary party had earlier passed a motion urging the leadership not to compromise on the issue of Irish Water.

It is understood legislation prepared by Fianna Fáil to abolish Irish Water is expected to be handed to Fine Gael within days.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan met senior figures in the Labour Party on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was attended by Tánaiste Joan Burton, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin and Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly, took place in Government Buildings.

It is understood Mr Kenny and Mr Noonan encouraged Labour to re-enter government. However, the Labour figures rejected the proposal.