Michael Martin stated that many people would want to see the present Government parties back to power, hence he once again ruled out forming a coalition with Sinn Féin after the election, reports Breaking News.
The head of Fianna Fáil also denied any thoughts of retiring, saying he still had the “hunger” to “keep going.”
Sinn Féin and other left-wing parties, including People Before Profit, were accused by the Tánaiste of fabricating images of Ireland as a failing state.
“I accept we have an awful lot more to do in certain areas, but I do not accept the narrative of a failed state,” he told RTÉ Radio One, reports Breaking News.
Mr. Martin stated that the party as a whole had the same views as he did on being against any kind of alliance with Sinn Féin.
He declared, “We will not be governing with Sinn Féin,” reports Breaking News.
When asked if that would only apply while he was the leader, he said, “With me as leader. The party and its policies are the problem; they are incompatible with Sinn Féin, not me.
We’ve seen it recently with regard to the housing issue as well as the legacy issue.
“I do think Sinn Féin need to address what the Provisional IRA did and not triumphalise it because we have a great opportunity for the young people of this generation to really have a broader perspective in terms of violence, the use of violence for political ends, and I think we should grasp that opportunity,” reports Breaking News.
Mr. Martin responded, “I’m feeling good at the moment, and I’m interested in and engaged in political issues and political life,” when asked if he would ever retire.
“I’ll keep going as long as that persists and as long as I’m still hungry, angry, and frustrated over not being able to accomplish certain goals,” reports Breaking News.
When asked if he would prefer to form another coalition with Labour and the Social Democrats or with Fine Gael and the Greens, Mr. Martin responded, “There are no certainties in life or in politics.”
“We get a sense, and I’ve been knocking many doors since the local elections in particular, a lot of people seem relatively OK with the policy thrust of this government, and there’s a significant cohort of the electorate (in favour) for a continuation of that. But there could be variations of that,” reports Breaking News.
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