Enda Kenny refuses invitation to meeting by Independent Alliance

An attempt by the Independent Alliance to convene a meeting with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on Saturday to explore the conditions under which the two big parties would support a minority government led by the other has failed.

Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney informed Independent Alliance member Shane Ross on Saturday afternoon that acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny would not be available to participate in a meeting.

Speaking on “Saturday with Claire Byrne” on RTÉ Radio 1, Mr Ross said Mr Coveney “didn’t give any reasons, but said there were positive reasons for this not happening – which I remain to be convinced about. I believe any further delay is unacceptable”.

Asked what the “positive reasons” could be, Mr Ross said he didn’t know, but he “presumed there may be back-channel talks going on between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that we may not know about. That’s the best one can hope for. Or there may be arrangements being made for a meeting at a later date.

“I’m getting fed up with this. The Independent Alliance called for this meeting and set up this meeting because the delays are absurd. We’re aiming for next Thursday for yet another vote on the Taoiseach, The idea that they (Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) can agree by next Thursday whether they support each other in a minority situation, in policies, is very, very unlikely. I think the lack of urgency is extraordinary.”

On Friday, Mr Kenny repeated his call for a partnership government, while leaving open the possibility of a Fine Gael-led minority government supported by Fianna Fáil from the opposition benches.

He has sought to increase the pressure on Fianna Fáil and Independent TDs by inviting them to talks next week.

Fine Gael believes Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was too quick to dismiss the initial offer of a partnership government and wants it considered again.

Fianna Fáil sources repeated their opposition to such an arrangement and said Mr Martin’s preferred option is a minority government.

Mr Kenny’s statement on Friday said the new political reality following the election was difficult for all parties, including Fine Gael, but ending Civil War politics was now clearly the best thing for the country.

Fine Gael sources, however, highlighted a line in the statement which kept alive the option of a minority government supported from opposition by Fianna Fáil.

“It is my hope that those willing to participate in or support a partnership government can come together to discuss and agree how such a government will work,” it said.

His statement followed a meeting of Fine Gael Ministers to consider their strategy following the rejection of the initial offer by Fianna Fáil and the failed attempt by the Independent Alliance to convene a meeting on Saturday evening.

Senior Fianna Fáil sources said they were “realists” and would support a Fine Gael-led minority government if Mr Kenny secured the support of Independent TDs.

Fianna Fáil has called on Mr Kenny to say he would also support a Fianna Fáil-led minority government, which the acting Taoiseach has ruled out.

Fine Gael wants Fianna Fáil to outline on what conditions it would support a Fine Gael-led minority government, such as committing to supporting budgets and confidence votes.

A Fianna Fáil source said: “If there was real partnership both parties should be able to talk about conditional support. And if there was real reform, the same.”

The source said negotiations must not be carried out through “five-minute media hits . . . We are prepared to meet with Fine Gael and Independents to discuss a minority government”.

Fine Gael sources said Mr Kenny’s statement was designed to firstly persuade Fianna Fáil to give the partnership offer renewed consideration.

Fine Gael believes another Fianna Fáil rejection will then convince undecided Independent TDs that a Fine Gael-led minority government is the only viable option and will push them to declare for Mr Kenny.

There is also a belief that if Fianna Fáil is not prepared to enter a partnership arrangement, it must outline on what basis it will support a Fine Gael-led minority government.

Fine Gael figures also said statements on Friday from Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath, in which Mr McGrath called for renewed talks, showed some in Mr Martin’s party were open to co-operating with Fine Gael.

Meanwhile, Tipperary independent TD Mattie McGrath denied he was “difficult” in the negotiations with Fine Gael.

“No, we had robust exchanges,” said Mr McGrath. “I’m a straight talker. If that’s what he (Enda Kenny) calls difficult, welcome to the real life of partnership government.”

Asked if the five in the “rural alliance” are on the same page, Mr McGrath said they were, “and the Healy Raes are very supportive of us as well. All we want to see is how, whichever minority government it is, will function. That it’s not pulled down at the first hurdle, or the second or third. We need stability.”