Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil coalition is not change, says Róisín Shortall |
She was responding to a question about whether the Social Democrats would be interested in going into Government with the two bigger parties. Ms Shortall said people voted for change and solutions to the big problems, including housing and health.
The party met in Dublin today after winning six seats in the 2020 Election, an increase of four on its previous representation. Ms Shortall and fellow co-leader Catherine Murphy were joined in the Dáil by Holly Cairns, Jennifer Whitmore, Gary Gannon and Cian O'Callaghan. She was also asked about Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald's appeal to smaller parties not to go into Government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Ms Shortall said each party was an independent party and the Social Democrats would do what was best for the country. She also said the party would continue to speak to other parties and look at the possibility of a policy platform being put together to address the big issues.She addressed a party meeting in west Belfast following last week's general election result in which Sinn Féin topped the first preference poll and won 37 seats. She said: "And it now seems that Micheál Martin's plan is to deny the people what they voted for. That is an arrogant and untenable position, given the strength of Sinn Fein's mandate.""The political establishment of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are circling the wagons in defence of a status quo that will not deliver the change citizens voted for last weekend. "The political establishment of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are circling the wagons in defence of a status quo that will not deliver the change citizens voted for last weekend" - @MaryLouMcDonald — Gail Conway February 15, 2020 Ms McDonald said her party's job was to deliver, whether by sitting at the cabinet table in Dublin or the power-sharing Executive at Stormont."We will ensure that their voices are heard. That their democratic decision is respected. "The old guard can have yesterday. There is no progress to be found there. Now is the moment for change."
Please follow us on Google to support usIreland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eoin Ó Broin says Sinn Féin cannot form government without either Fianna Fáil or Fine GaelÓ Broin said that political parties who say they won't discuss government formation with another party - as both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have done about Sinn Féin - 'smacks of arrogance' and 'recklessness'.
Read more »
‘Significant people’ in Fianna Fáil oppose Fine Gael deal, says Ó CuívProspect of new government being formed in near future in stalemate
Read more »