Murphy: Not too late for Sinn Féin to rule out FF or FG coalition

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

It is “not too late” for Sinn Féin to rule out a coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, People Before Profit (PBP) have said.

It comes after Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald refused to rule out such a partnership in the future.

Speaking after the election was officially called on Friday, Ms McDonald said the “best outcome” of the election would be a government without those two parties – but stopped short of entering into a partnership with her long-term rivals.

She said: “I will talk to anybody – I have made no secret about that.”

However, PBP representative Paul Murphy reacted on Saturday by saying it would be a “real insult to prop up” Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

Mr Murphy instead appealed to Sinn Féin, as well as the Social Democrats, to join PBP in guaranteeing no such future coalition.

The candidate for Dublin South West said: “People Before Profit – Solidarity is not insulting voters by ruling out coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“We are giving people a commitment that votes for us will never be used to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.

“The real insult that has been delivered many times in the past by Labour, the Greens and various independents is to campaign on the promise of change, and then use those votes to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.

“It is not too late for Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats to join with People Before Profit in ruling out coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and committing to a left government.

“That would inspire people to come out and vote to end 100 years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rule.”