Gerry Adams: Independents facilitating 'charade' of party talks; Sinn Féin 'very busy'
By Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter
Gerry Adams has accused Independents of facilitating a “charade” in talking to the two main political parties.
The Sinn Féin leader, whose party has not taken part in any talks with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, hit out at the 15 Independent TDs who have been taking part in government formation negotiations with the two main parties.
“There is a charade which is being facilitated by the Independents,” he said this morning.
“The Independents for their part, represented themselves during the election as being different from the political parties, opposed to the political parties.
"So this little masquerade continues while the health crisis intensifies, the homelessness and housing crisis intensifies, and we hear more and more news of industrial unrest.
“The negotiations are a charade; say if Fine Gael comes to some understanding with the Independents, they cannot go forward without the support of Fianna Fáil. So they then have to go to Fianna Fáil who will have their view.
He added that Independents are “probably doing the best for their constituencies” in going into talks but “the fact is it is a charade”.
“The charade continues, the two parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who actually have the numbers to form or to facilitate a government, haven’t even met on the issue."
Asked about Sinn Féin's lack of participation in negotiations which has been the subject of some criticism Mr Adams said: “We are very busy.
“We don’t believe, and let’s be very very clear about this, that a government led by Enda Kenny is in the best interests of the people of this State, we don’t believe a government led by Micheál Martin is is the best interest of the people of the State,” Mr Adams said.
However, he said his party does not want a second election.
Fianna Fáil's Willie O'Dea said this afternoon that Gerry Adams has no right to criticise other parties, saying that Sinn Fein has completely avoided the issue of Government formation.
“Well, wouldn’t Gerry Adams love to see Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael sitting over on the Government benches, where he could act as the tribune of the people from the Opposition benches,” he said.
“I mean, it ill behoves Gerry Adams to criticise Fianna Fáil, or indeed Fine Gael, or anybody else, when Gerry Adams has spent the time since the election running away from Government as fast as his legs could carry him.”
