Michael Healy-Rae has 'productive and positive' meeting with Micheál Martin

Tomas Doherty

Michael Healy-Rae said he held a meeting with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of supporting the next government.

The Independent TD for Kerry said the meeting lasted an hour and it was “productive and positive”.

It came as Mr Martin said his party had mandated him to begin negotiations with others to form a government that “can last the full term”.

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

Following a phone conversation on Tuesday we met with Fianna Fáil leader and Tainiste Micheal Martin on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of supporting an incoming Government. The meeting lasted an hour, it was productive and positive.

— Michael Healy-Rae (@MHealyRae) December 6, 2024

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 a number of Independents, to achieve a majority in the Dáil.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both ruled out entering power with Sinn Féin.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Healy-Rae said: “Following a phone conversation on Tuesday we met with Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of supporting an incoming Government. The meeting lasted an hour, it was productive and positive.

“The Tánaiste sought an insight into what our priorities were regarding policy and projects. Whilst no commitments were made on either side, it was agreed that we would continue to talk over the coming days and we will continue to engage with anybody who wishes to speak with us”.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it remains her preference to create a “centre-left bloc” of parties during government formation talks.

However, she refused to rule out the prospect of entering into a coalition alone with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Speaking on Thursday, Ms Bacik said she had set up meetings with Green leader Roderic O’Gorman, who is now the party’s only TD, and the Social Democrats.

“Those meetings are explicitly for the purpose of forging a common platform – an agreed agenda for change – with which we can then go as a bloc to the three bigger parties to engage in any sort of talks on government formation.”

She said she wanted to explore these options to deliver “progressive change” on housing, healthcare and disability services.

The Labour leader said formation talks are at a “very early stage” and it is not yet known what parties will be in government.

Ms Bacik said she had already spoken to Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.

She also said she had met Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, characterising it as “a formality”.

On Thursday Fine Gael announced the make-up of its full negotiating team led by deputy leader Helen McEntee.

The six-strong panel also includes Paschal Donohoe, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon, John Cummins and John Paul O’Shea.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also held “serious” preliminary conversations with Fianna Fáil, Labour, the Social Democrats and a number of Independent TDs. – Additional reporting: PA