The Daily Star Ireland
In line with the Labour Party’s tradition, the initial focus was on internal divisions. The Social Democrats rejected Ivana Bacik’s proposal for a left-wing coalition to enter government talks. Cian O’Callaghan, the party’s deputy leader and a former Labour member, stated that they would proceed independently, scheduling preliminary discussions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael next week, although no significant outcomes are expected.
A source from Fianna Fáil expressed doubts about the Social Democrats joining the government, citing their far-left stance and impractical demands, such as unrealistic housing targets. The source questioned their willingness to take action despite their rhetoric.
Labour is still seen as a potential participant in government talks, with Ivana Bacik, Alan Kelly, and Ged Nash understanding that power is necessary to implement policies. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are open to discussing terms with Labour.
The positions of various parties will become clearer during the first Dáil session on December 18. Neither Micheál Martin nor Simon Harris are expected to be nominated as taoiseach. Mary Lou McDonald must decide whether to pursue an ultimately futile bid for taoiseach, which she is unlikely to win.
Labour’s intentions will be closely watched, with expectations that they will push for issues like housing, eliminating the means test for carers, establishing a living wage, and investing in public health services. They may seek at least two cabinet positions, though reduced from the Green Party’s previous three.
A senior party source indicated that Labour is likely to focus on housing, given the expected improvements in supply and available funding. Fianna Fáil aims to retain control of housing, making it a key area of negotiation.
Should Labour not join the government, many Independents are prepared to support Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Civil War parties are familiar with most of these Independents, many of whom have previously served in government.
Eight Independents have formed the Regional Group for speaking time in the Dáil and are in talks about supporting the government. Profiles of new Independents like Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole are being reviewed. Heneghan, who advocated for a cystic fibrosis unit in Beaumont Hospital a decade ago, and Toole, who seeks projects for her constituency, are potential allies.
Former ministers Seán Canney and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran have expressed interest in returning as junior ministers. Verona Murphy from Wexford is expected to seek a senior cabinet position, while Marian Harkin from Sligo-Leitrim remains open to negotiation.
The Healy-Rae brothers from Kerry are also making demands in exchange for their support, with a detailed list expected next week. Michael Lowry from Tipperary North is acting as a contact point for the group, leveraging his negotiation experience from the Rainbow coalition era. Along with Noel Grealish, Lowry has outlined constituency demands and is seeking a five-year deal.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael aim for a stable five-year term, preferring the reliability of Labour over a coalition with Independents. A row over the appointment of a ceann comhairle is brewing, with Seán Ó Feargháil seeking another term, facing resistance within Fianna Fáil. John McGuinness and Brendan Smith are potential alternatives.
Fine Gael is regrouping after a narrow election loss, with Simon Harris downplaying Fianna Fáil’s 10-seat advantage and calling for concrete negotiations. The party is not interested in the ceann comhairle role and appears to concede the next European Commissioner position to Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil also plans to have more ministers than Fine Gael in the new government arrangement.
Finalizing cabinet positions will depend on the coalition’s composition.
