Kenny warns Independents: Support Fine Gael of face another election
Enda Kenny has warned Independent TDs that the only two options now available are supporting a Fine Gael led Government or facing another General Election.
It comes as the two largest parties intensify their discussions with Independents and others.
Fine Gael will continue talks with 15 Independents tomorrow and Friday while Fianna Fáil are to hold two full days of talks next Monday and Tuesday ahead of the Dáil reconvening on April 6.
Fine Gael resumed a round-table meeting with the Independent Alliance, the five rural Independent TDs and the Green Party early this morning.
However, the two elected Green Party representatives, Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin, decided to pull out of talks this morning and will not be taking part in further discussions around forming a Government.
The party cited Fine Gael’s slowness in opening dialogue with Fianna Fáil as well as a lack of numbers to form a strong minority Government as the main reasons for leaving.
The Taoiseach has said that he would not be speaking to Fianna Fáil until discussions with the Independents are finalised.
A Fine Gael source said: “The Taoiseach was very clear yesterday, he has not changed his opinion that talks should conclude first.”
The talks broke briefly this afternoon as Independent TDs had arranged meetings with Fianna Fail’s team of negotiators.
Papers on climate change and disability were discussed at the Fine Gael round-table discussions which began at 8.30am before breaking to meet Fianna Fáil.
A paper on justice was then discussed this afternoon.
The talks are continuing.
Independent Michael Healy-Rae later criticised those who have ruled themselves out of trying to form a government.
"Where are all the other politicians?" he said.
"There's an awful lot of people ... they were knocking on doors, they were asking people to vote for them. And people voted for them, and they haven't been seen or heard of since polling day.
"Since they were announced as being elected TDs, they haven't been next or near this place - they haven't participated, they've done nothing.
"And what's wrong with them? I mean, if you want to be a politician, you're supposed to work, d'ya know?"
