Fine Gael TDs are uneasy over coalition with Fianna Fáil

The 32nd Dáil is set for deadlock on the election of a new taoiseach today when it meets for the first time but agreement is expected on a mechanism to reform the procedures of the House.

Enda Kenny will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to formally resign as Taoiseach if, as expected, he is beaten in today's vote, but he will continue as caretaker Taoiseach until he is replaced.

It is expected that Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will also be defeated when their names are put forward for nomination today.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have continued to manoeuvre for position in advance of the vote for taoiseach but there is still no clarity about what will ultimately happen.

Mr Kenny told the Fine Gael parliamentary last night that a stable government was needed but he emphasised that he would not take office just for the sake of it.

A number of Fine Gael TDs have expressed unease and caution about the prospect of entering coalition with Fianna Fáil.

However there was widespread acceptance that some arrangement would have to be agreed on by the two parties.

One TD proposed holding a special ardfheis to consider government formation, similar to Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil opposition

On the Fianna Fáil side, the official position remained resolutely opposed to coalition with Fine Gael but there were some dissenting voices.

Senior figures including Billy Kelleher, Willie O'Dea and Barry Cowen argued strongly against a grand coalition and insisted that a Fianna Fáil minority government led by Mr Martin was the goal.

“We set out in this election to provide an alternative government and that position has not changed,” Mr Cowen said.

“That is our sole ambition. If Fine Gael want to support us from the opposition benches, great.”

Mr O’Dea said Fianna Fáil’s position had not changed and a grand coalition was off the cards.

“A minority government is possible for Fianna Fáil. If not, a Fine Gael minority government would require the forbearance of us if they implemented the right policies,” Mr O’Dea said.

However, the party's two Carlow-Kilkenny TDs John McGuinness and Bobby Aylward urged the party leadership not to ignore the decision of the electorate.

“The country has to come first and the electorate has spoken,” Mr McGuinness said.

“Politicians should stop thinking about themselves and they need to think about the country.”

While the Dáil may not agree on a new taoiseach, moves were afoot last night to get cross-party agreement on the establishment of a committee to draft proposals for reforming the Dáil procedures within a month.

Consensus

Green Party leader

Eamon Ryan

, who promoted the idea, said last night there was an opportunity to get a consensus on what needed to be done.

“I think it is important that we can show how we can all agree to act constructively when the Dáil meets for the first time,” he said.

“We have identified a mechanism to deliver specific proposals in a matter of weeks and I hope that some of the remaining technicalities can be ironed out in time.”

Mr Ryan had discussions with the clerk of the Dáil and met Fianna Fáil leader Mr Martin and Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney yesterday.

The first item on the agenda today, once the clerk has read out the names of all of the successful candidates for the 32nd Dáil, will be the election of the ceann comhairle.