Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have stated that their initial conversations were “positive and constructive” as they continue to have negotiations to form a government, reports RTE.
They added “both parties will continue to engage on issues over the coming days” in a joint statement.
By the end of this week, the Social Democrats are expected to decide whether to go with government formation discussions further or not.
Following the Social Democrats’ negotiation team’s meeting with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at Government Buildings this evening, the party’s deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan confirmed the expected timeline, reports RTE.
Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and his colleagues Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe, met with Mr O’Callaghan and party colleagues Gary Gannon and Jennifer Whitmore.
Mr. O’Callaghan told reporters that the parliamentary party of the Social Democrats will be “meeting tomorrow and reporting back on those meetings” following the conclusion of the separate sessions, reports RTE.
When asked if there will be a decision on whether or not to continue the negotiations, he added:
“We’re going to update the parliamentary party tomorrow on the talks we’ve had, and at that point we’ll decide what the next steps are. There could be further engagement, but we do need to discuss it at our parliamentary party,” before adding when asked if he believes a decision will be made by the end of the week: Yes I do, yeah,” reports RTE.
In response to a question about whether his party or he personally would support forgoing government and instead forming an opposition left alliance, the Social Democrats’ deputy leader stated that they are currently debating government formation and have not yet taken the alternative into consideration.
Meanwhile, while negotiations between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and minor parties continue, members of the Regional Group of Independents announced that they were meeting, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
