Next government must reflect Fianna Fáil’s election success – Martin

By Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PA

The next Irish government has to reflect the “very significant” number of seats Fianna Fáil won in the general election, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.

Mr Martin, the Fianna Fáil leader, said his party had now mandated him to begin negotiations with others to form a government that “can last the full term”.

Fianna Fáil was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dáil 174 seats, while Sinn Féin took 39 and Fine Gael won 38.

Mr Martin’s party is expected to once again partner with Fine Gael in a coalition, but would still need the support of another party or independents to achieve a majority in the Dáil.

Mr Martin spoke to the media surrounded by TDs from his parliamentary team.

Fine Gael and Sinn Féin are also holding meetings of their Dáil teams on Wednesday.

The Tánaiste said “serious work is ahead of us now” with Ireland facing a number of challenges.

He said: “I have received a mandate this morning from the parliamentary party to enter into negotiations with others with a view to forming a government that can last the full term.”

Mr Martin added: “It is now about the people, about serving the people, about putting the people first, ahead of party and that will be our agenda as we discuss with others the formation of the next government.

“When I entered into negotiations on the last occasion with Fine Gael and the Green Party, I put the country first, which we have to do.

“Governments have to work smoothly, they have to work collegially and they have to work with mutual respect.”

Asked about meeting with independent TDs since the election, he said: “I have met with quite a number to sound them out, very initial meetings to try and get a sense of how they see it.

“They clearly potentially have a role here. The last government was supported by independents even though it involved three parties.

“Certainly I wanted to sound out their perspective in terms of their potential to engage with us in terms of the formation of a government.”

Mr Martin said he had had “initial contact” with Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris and would have a chance for a “good reflection” when they both attend a meeting of the British-Irish Council later this week.

He added: “I think Fianna Fáil has secured a very significant number of seats on this occasion.

“That has to be reflected ultimately in the configuration and composition of policy and structure of government.

“Again, we have to work with others.

“It is a very fragmented Dáil situation. The realities of the proportional representation electoral system, that is what we have.

“We have got to be skilful, we have got to be respectful in terms of how we put a government together.”

Mr Martin reiterated he would not be entering into negotiations with Sinn Féin over government formation.

He said: “Our policy platform is not compatible with Sinn Féin’s policy platform. I have made that clear, that remains our consistent position.”