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Ireland set for minority government after deal between two main parties Ireland set for minority government after two main parties reach deal
(35 minutes later)
Ireland finally has a new government after its inconclusive general election in February.Ireland finally has a new government after its inconclusive general election in February.
The Republic’s two major parties - Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - struck a deal on Friday that will lead to a new coalition. The Republic’s two main parties – Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil – struck a deal on Friday that will lead to a new coalition.
Fianna Fáil has agreed to facilitate a Fine Gael minority government in a “political ceasefire” between the two dominant political forces in the state. But Fianna Fáil will remain on the opposition benches in the Dail. Fianna Fáil has agreed to facilitate a Fine Gael minority government in a “political ceasefire” between the two dominant political forces in the state. But Fianna Fáil will remain on the opposition benches in the Dáil, the Irish parliament.
Related: Ireland still without government after third failure to pick taoiseachRelated: Ireland still without government after third failure to pick taoiseach
After an intense day of discussions at Trinity College Dublin the two parties’ negotiating teams described the arrangement as “the first initiative of its kind”.After an intense day of discussions at Trinity College Dublin the two parties’ negotiating teams described the arrangement as “the first initiative of its kind”.
It is understood that Fianna Fáil will allow Fine Gael to govern until a review of the coalition’s performance in September 2018.It is understood that Fianna Fáil will allow Fine Gael to govern until a review of the coalition’s performance in September 2018.
Independent deputies in the Dail have been summoned to government buildings in Dublin to be briefed about the deal. Independent deputies in the Dáil have been summoned to government buildings in Dublin to be briefed about the deal.
They will play a key part in the formation of the new government and will extract a constituency-by-constituency price for supporting a Fine Gael minority administration as well as demanding major reforms over the way the Irish parliament is run. There are 14 independent deputies.They will play a key part in the formation of the new government and will extract a constituency-by-constituency price for supporting a Fine Gael minority administration as well as demanding major reforms over the way the Irish parliament is run. There are 14 independent deputies.
Michael McGrath, one of Fianna Fáil’s negotiators, said he was “pleased and relieved” that the formal discussions were over.Michael McGrath, one of Fianna Fáil’s negotiators, said he was “pleased and relieved” that the formal discussions were over.
“Our own parliamentary party members remain on stand-by for a special meeting of the party to be called at any time over the weekend if necessary to approve or not approve at their discretion the document,” McGrath said. “Our own parliamentary party members remain on standby for a special meeting of the party to be called at any time over the weekend if necessary to approve or not approve at their discretion the document,” he said.
Alluding to the original divide over the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 that partitioned Ireland into two states, leading to a bitter civil war and the formation of the two parties, McGrath said: “When you consider the history of those parties, the near 100-year history of our state, this is the first initiative of its kind.” Alluding to the original divide over the Anglo-Irish treaty in 1921 that partitioned Ireland into two states, leading to a bitter civil war and the formation of the two parties, McGrath said: “When you consider the history of those parties, the near 100-year history of our state, this is the first initiative of its kind.”
In the February election Fine Gael, led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, lost 26 seats but it remains the largest party in the Dail with 50 seats. In the February election Fine Gael, led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, lost 26 seats but it remains the largest party in the Dáil with 50 seats.
Fianna Fáil made a stunning recovery from a historic low of 21 seats in the 2011 general election to 44 seats this year.Fianna Fáil made a stunning recovery from a historic low of 21 seats in the 2011 general election to 44 seats this year.
Sinn Fein remains the third-biggest party with 21 seats and whose increased presence in the Dail was the main reason why Fianna Fáil will not sit in government. Sinn Féin remains the third-biggest party with 21 seats and whose increased presence in the Dáil was the main reason why Fianna Fáil will not sit in government.