Micheál Martin postpones talks with Fine Gael

Fianna Fáil is to put negotiations with Fine Gael on supporting a new government on hold until after a further round of talks with Independent TDs.

While senior figures in both parties are preparing to negotiate the terms for Fianna Fáil to support a minority Fine Gael-Independent government, talks between the two parties are now unlikely to take place until after the Dáil meets next Wednesday.

Several Independent TDs said Taoiseach Enda Kenny had told them he hoped to reach out to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin by Friday to discuss the formation of a new government.

They said Mr Kenny told them he believed he could have a draft programme for government agreed with the Independents at that point.

However, a Fine Gael spokeswoman said the Taoiseach had not given any timing on possible contacts with Opposition parties, but was focused on reaching agreement with Independents.

The Irish Times understands Mr Martin will not agree to any talks until after he has a further round of meetings with Independent TDs next Monday.

Senior Fianna Fáil sources said face-to-face contacts with Fine Gael were unlikely until after the Dáil meets again, when it is again expected to fail to elect a taoiseach.

As talks with the Independent TDs continued yesterday, senior figures in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were privately sceptical that many of the Independents would sign up to support a minority government.

Fine Gael was still making strenuous efforts to agree joint policy positions with the Independents yesterday, outlining a policy package on combating rural crime, including rapid response units and more CCTV cameras.

The talks will recommence at Government Buildings at 9am today.

However, Mr Kenny was reported to be privately pessimistic that he can bring on board all 15 Independents currently involved in the negotiations.

Though Ministers remain outwardly optimistic about the talks, there is increasing scepticism that all the Independents will sign up for a programme for government.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney travelled to Co Waterford last night to meet the election team of Independent TD John Halligan.

Wavering support

Mr Halligan is said to be wavering in support for a Fine Gael-led minority government.

The meeting is believed to be an attempt to ensure the Independent Alliance TD does not abandon dialogue with Fine Gael.

Mr Kenny yesterday warned Independent TDs the choice facing them was either support for a Fine Gael-led minority government or another election.

Meanwhile, it is understood Labour may abstain in the vote for taoiseach next week after a meeting in Dublin attended by general election candidates took the view the party had no mandate to decide the shape of the next government.

As expected, the Green Party left the talks with Fine Gael yesterday, and later departed from talks with Fianna Fáil.

With talks between the two main parties now in prospect, it is understood Fianna Fáil will ask Fine Gael for a document setting out a draft programme for government when contact is eventually made.

Fianna Fáil may then pursue a “Tallaght-strategy” arrangement with the government, supporting it on key confidence and budget votes, if satisfied with the policies, but opposing it on non-crucial measures.

Sarah Bardon adds . . .

Fianna Fáil has written to a number of Government departments requesting civil servants be made available for their discussions with Independent TDs.

Leader Micheál Martin has sought secretary generals of a number of key departments to participate in their roundtable discussions with Independents next week.

A senior Fianna Fáil source said: “Fine Gael has been allowed to use key officials for their negotiations and we should be offered the same platform.”

It is not known at this stage whether this request will be facilitated.

The Fianna Fáil negotiating team met with rural TDs, the Independent Alliance and the Healy Rae brothers today for discussions on formation of a government.

The party presented policy documents on water, housing and health.

The paper confirmed the commitment of Fianna Fáil to suspend the water charges, which it says would cost €210 million. It also commits to abolishing Irish Water and establishing a slimmed down utility.