The Fianna Fáil leader has warned that issues at Shannon Airport won’t be addressed without a new government being in place.
In a wide ranging interview on Clare FM, Micheál Martin has urged party members to back the Programme for Government Deal that could see him installed as Taoiseach within two weeks.
As postal ballots are issued to Fianna Fáil members throughout the country this week, Micheál Martin used today’s interview to urge them to vote yes.
He said the Programme for Government is the right deal, and the right government, and said that coalition needs to be put in place to deal with the extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19.
He insists that housing health and climate are centre stage and that tourism and hospitality, both of which are synonymous with Clare, are key priorities.
Serious concern has emerged in recent months over the future viability of Shannon Airport and Deputy Martin admits that supports are needed, but says a new government needs to be put in place to deal with them.
Even some supporters of this deal in Clare have expressed unease at elements of it, including the Green party’s inclusion in the coalition.
Deputy Martin says the programme for Government does represent a significant departure in terms of climate change policy, but its something he too believes in.
He’s also defended the proposed government deal and how it will look to protect farming.
Micheál Martin is also facing down criticism of this deal from within his own ranks, with at least three Clare Fianna Fáil Councillors set to vote no.
Yesterday, Kilmurry Councillor Alan O’Callaghan said the deal contained no vision, was bad for the MidWest, and stated that he feels it has been “ego-driven” by his party leader.
Deputy Martin says that’s not the case.
Also this morning, Micheál Martin was not drawn on whether he would appoint former Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley as one of his Seanad nominees.
Whether he will get the opportunity to do so, is up to the members of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens, with a result known next Friday.
