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Ireland set for minority government after two main parties reach deal | Ireland set for minority government after two main parties reach deal |
(about 1 hour 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 main 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 Dáil, the Irish parliament. | 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 taoiseach | Related: 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”. | |
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 Dáil 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 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. | “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 Dáil 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 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. | 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. |
With a so-called “grand coalition” between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael proving a step too far for rivals whose enmities were forged in the Irish Civil War, a minority Fine Gael-led administration, with the support of a number of independents, has been the only realistic option for weeks. | |
If Fine Gael manages to finalise negotiations with the independents quickly , a new Taoiseach could be elected next week. | |
Three previous attempts in the Dáil to elect a Taoiseach in the wake of the election ended in failure. | |
Sinn Féin’s president, Gerry Adams, accused Fianna Fáil of campaigning in the election to put Kenny out of office but striking a deal to keep him there. The Dáil member for Louth claimed Fianna Fáil had forfeited its right to lead the opposition. | |
“Whatever deal has been reached will, I have no doubt, fallen well short of delivering the change and investment required to tackle the housing and homelessness crises and fix our health service, and will not bring about a fairer, more equal society,” he said. |