Soc Dems Meet FG as Labour Ends Gov’t Talks

The Social Democrats held exploratory talks with Fine Gael focusing on housing, climate, and disability issues, while the Labour Party announced it had pulled out of government formation discussions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The Social Democrats stated that their parliamentary party would reconvene after Christmas to decide on their next course of action.

Labour, on the other hand, made their decision to end the talks after a meeting of their parliamentary party. Leader Ivana Bacik explained that the ideological gap between Labour and the larger parties was too wide, particularly on Labour’s vision for an active and adequately funded state. She pointed out that Fianna Fáil was notably skeptical of Labour’s proposal for a state-run construction company.

Bacik also mentioned that the trajectory of government formation was becoming clearer when it was revealed that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would support Verona Murphy, a member of the Regional Independent Group, for the role of Ceann Comhairle. This, she argued, further limited the potential for smaller parties to influence policy within the coalition, as the larger parties were only two votes short of a majority.

While Bacik acknowledged that Labour had hoped to see its policies implemented, she explained that the party wanted to give the process proper consideration before making its decision. She has informed both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of Labour’s choice to withdraw.

Labour’s Louth TD, Ged Nash, confirmed that the party’s decision to exit the talks was unanimous.

Meanwhile, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett criticized Labour’s negotiations with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, calling them a “fool’s errand.” He argued that left-wing parties should have united prior to the election to form an alternative alliance. Boyd Barrett pointed out that any attempts to negotiate with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were counterproductive, as these two parties represent the status quo. He believed the left should have offered a clear alternative well before the General Election.