FF leader dismisses Ó Cuív proposal of Sinn Féin coalition

THE FIANNA Fáil leader has rejected a suggestion by his former deputy leader that Sinn Féin would be the party’s preferred future coalition partner.

Micheál Martin said yesterday that he would not share Éamon Ó Cuív’s analysis in terms of Sinn Féin being a republican party. “I would challenge that point,” he added.

Mr Ó Cuív made his remarks to the Connacht Tribune before yesterday’s attack on Sinn Féin by Mr Martin at the Fianna Fáil 1916 commemoration in Arbour Hill, Dublin. Mr Martin said Sinn Féin’s economic platform and its policy on Europe would not commend the party to him or Fianna Fáil at this stage.

Mr Ó Cuív resigned as deputy leader and from the front bench last month after defying the party’s support for the fiscal treaty referendum. Mr Martin had made it clear to Mr Ó Cuív that his role in the party had become untenable.

The former deputy leader said yesterday he favoured coalition with Sinn Féin in the future because the two parties basically came from the same tradition.

“The reality also is that Fine Gael and Labour have had a symbiotic relationship over many, many years,” he added. “You could say they are nearly just two wings of one group and, therefore, there is very little compatibility between Fianna Fáil and either Fine Gael or Labour.”

Asked about Mr Martin’s rejection of his views, Mr Ó Cuív said it was not “the first time we have disagreed on policy issues”. He was informing people of his views on the treaty. “There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding out there.”

He added that people campaigning for a Yes vote were saying there was no choice.

After his speech in Arbour Hill, Mr Martin said he was putting across a clear message that the pasts of all parties were up for inquiry. “I think, at this juncture, it is important that the activities of the Provisional IRA are articulated . . . the barbarity they engaged in and the need for accountability.”